"What?"
"No."
"Why?"
"I want to see some real people again. I've forgotten what they resemble."
"That's a damned insolent remark!" she gasped.
"Not meant to be. You are real enough, Heaven knows. But," and his smile faded—"I've taken a month off to think it out. And, do you know, thinking being an unaccustomed luxury, I've enjoyed it. Imagine my delight and surprise, Mrs. Sprowl, when I discovered that my leisurely reflections resulted in the discovery that I had a mind—a real one—capable of reason and conclusions. And so when I actually came to a conclusion my joy knew no bounds——"
"Ricky! Stop those mental athletics! Do you hear? I've a toothache and a backache and I can't stand 'em!"
Quarren was laughing now; and presently a grim concession to humour relaxed the old lady's lips till her fat face creased.
"All right," she said; "go and play with the ragged boy around the corner, my son. Then when you're ready come home and get your face washed."
"May I come occasionally to chat with you?"