He handed over his hat and stick and mounted the stairs and knocked at a door on the second floor.
"May I come in?" he asked and did not wait for the reply.
Isabel was built in among a nest of squabs and cushions that circled the tiny grate.
"Nice!" she said with a grin. "I was beginning to think you were deserting me. Rang up three times yesterday I did."
"Awful busy I was," he returned and disposed himself luxuriously beside her. Then he said 'Please' and had every reason to say 'Thank you' only he preferred to express it otherwise.
"What you been doing?"
"Trous-sewing," she answered nodding at a small basket decorated with silk fruit and overflowing with pieces of flimsy needlework. "But I've been dull. Where were you yesterday?"
"All over the place. North, south, east and west and the nor'-nor's and the sou'-sou's into the bargain. It was a hectic day."
Something in the forced gaiety of his voice made her look at him critically.
"Anything wrong?" he asked. "I know I'm not handsome but——"