"So it's better not to open it until"—she laughed gaily—"you marry some nice girl. Then it will be safe enough for me to call on the Cleland family, I fancy. Won't it, Jim?"
"Quite," he replied drily. "But when I marry that nice girl, you won't have far to go when you call on the Cleland family."
"Oh, how kind! You mean to board me, Jim?"
"You know what I do mean," he said.
"I wonder! Is it really a declaration of serious and respectable intentions? But you're quite safe. And I'm afraid you know it. Tell me, did you find an apartment to suit you?"
"No."
"Why not come here? There's a studio and apartment which will be free May first. Oh, Jim, please take it! If you say so I'll telephone the agent now! Shall I? It would be too heavenly if we were under the same roof again!"
"Do you want me, Steve? After—and in spite of everything?"
"Want you?" He heard her happy, scornful laughter. Then: "We're dining out, Jim; but come to-morrow. I'll telephone now that you'll take the studio. May I, Jim dear?"
"Yes," he said. "And I'll come to you to-morrow."