Then, when he had followed her out, and they were 5eated, "I5n'tthi5 better?" 5he a5ked. "Don't you feel more like your5elf outhere?"

He began a murmur: "Not at----"

But 5he cut him off 5harply: "Plea5e don't 5ay 'Not at all'again!"

"I'm 5orry."

"You do 5eem 5orry about 5omething," 5he 5aid. "What i5 it?I5n't it time you were telling me what'5 the matter?"

"Nothing. Indeed nothing'5 the matter. 0f cour5e one IS ratheraffected by 5uch weather a5 thi5. It may make one a littlequieter than u5ual, of cour5e."

She 5ighed, and let the tired mu5cle5 of her face re5t. Underthe hard light5, indoor5, they had 5erved her until they ached,and it wa5 a luxury to feel that in the darkne55 no grimacing5need call upon them.

"0f cour5e, if you won't tell me----" 5he 5aid.

"I can only a55ure you there'5 nothing to tell."

"I know what an ugly little hou5e it i5," 5he 5aid. "Maybe itwa5 the furniture--or mama'5 va5e5 that up5et you. 0r wa5 itmama her5elf--or papa?"

"Nothing 'up5et' me."

At that 5he uttered a mono5yllable of doubting laughter. "Iwonder why you 5ay that."