"By the way, Greenleaf," he continued, "I have been in search of an absconding female also. You remember Mrs. Sandford, the charming widow?"
"Yes,—what has become of her?"
"You see how philosophical I am. I have not seen her yet; and yet I am not crazy about it. Some chickens think the sky is falling, whenever a rose-leaf drops on their heads."
"But you have no such reason to be anxious."
"Haven't I? Do you think old fellows like me have lost recollection as well as feeling? One of the most deadly cases of romance I ever knew was between people of forty and upwards."
"How dull I was! I saw some rather odd glances between you at the musical party, but thought nothing more about it. But why haven't you been looking for her?"
"I have been cogitating," said Easelmann, twisting his moustaches.
"I should think so. If you had asked me, now! I went with her to the house where I suppose she is still boarding."
"Did you?" [very indifferently, and with the falling inflection.]
"Why, don't you want to know?"