The other looked at her in surprise.
"Why, of course," he said. "I never thought of doing anything else. If my calculations are correct, it will take me exactly as long to finish those three pieces of toast as for you to get ready. Better wear old clothes—it may be pretty dirty."
Five minutes later they descended to the street.
"Why, it's been snowing!" said Smith, in surprise.
A light fall of snow covered sidewalk and lawns; there were few men this day with sufficient leisure to sweep away snow. As the two went northward through the bright morning, they walked for the most part in silence. All seemed very still, for there were no street cars moving, and most of the customary confusion of a city's streets was oddly hushed. Few people were abroad, at least along where their path lay; it was almost as though they were passing through a deserted city.
"Look at that," Smith said once. "I don't believe you were ever on this corner when you couldn't see a single person."
"Where do you suppose every one is?" asked Helen, curiously.
"At the ruins. Do you know, this reminds me of one of the strangest things I ever saw."
"What was that?" the girl inquired, turning toward him.
"The only absolutely deserted town in America—at least I think it must be the only one. I never heard any one speak of another. But I know this one exists, for I saw it myself."