"But where is he? You—you don't mean to say——"
"Yes, I do. He went upstairs and didn't return.... So I waited for a while and then—came back."
They sat silent for a while, then Molly lifted her eyes to his and they were brimming with curiosity.
"If they become reconciled," she said, "how are people going to take it, Rix?"
"Characteristically I suppose."
"You mean that some will be nasty about it?"
"Some."
"But then——"
"Oh, Molly, Molly," he said, smiling, "there are more important things than what a few people are likely to think or say. The girl made a fool of herself, and the man weakened and nearly went to pieces. He's found himself again; he's disposed to help her find herself. It was only one of those messes that the papers report every day. Few get out of such pickles, but I believe these two are going to.... And somehow, do you know—from something Sprowl said to-night, I don't believe that she went the entire limit—took the last ditch."
Molly reddened: "Why?"