Di, looked around with satisfaction, the evening in the cafe had gone flawlessly so far, the newspaper headlines on the tables didn't dampen the mood either. Dorian seemed to be talking furiously about something to Nan, and Nan had an introverted look in her eyes that usually meant she was sketching out a letter in her mind, perhaps to Jerry, but more likely to Ingelside. Smiling, Di walked over to her twin, and overheard Dorian remark, "You know Nan, there's something that's been bothering me all evening, and I think I just solved it. Namely, I feel like I've seen Miss Roberts somewhere before, or her likeness at least."

Di, noticed how Nan's face had a slightly exaggerated look of patience, as Nan said a little mischievously, "You can admit if you find her attractive, all that, shimmering theatrical fripperies, and pale lushness, there is no need to be so coy."

Dorian, huffed irritably, and said, "I'm not that shallow, I meant I've seen her likeness at home." Nan's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, as Di sat down in the free chair and said lightly, "Well, I have a solution to this problem, let's ask Winnie directly!" Di, raised her voice, above the hum of the glowing conversation in the room, and called out, "Winnie, will you come here for a minute?"

Winnie, put her lemonade down on the pale lilac counter, and smiling, glided across the cafe, towards their table, and then she said, "Music rquests or something else, my dear sheep?" Di, laughed carelessly, and said half seriously, "Dorian, here has a question for you Winnie."

Dorian, glanced in Winnie's direction once, fast look, then he looked down at his plate. Nan, looked on with great amusement as Dorian, folding his napkin, nervously on the plate, with flushed ears, and with the utmost shyness half muttered, "Have you ever been to Gardiner Hall by any chance, Miss Roberts?"

Di, glancing at Winnie, noticed that there was a hint of reserve in her dark eyes as she replied, "I have not. Sometimes a calvacade of various business people do come to theater where I work."

Dorian nodded thoughtfully, because suddenly one of Adeline's accusations seemed to be true, and not his Aunt's usual way of borrowing trouble. Winnie said softly, "So you're Dorothy's little Dorian, in other words Gardiner heir." Dorian blushed up to his ears, and nodded laboriously.

When Winnie and Di with her had gone to the piano, talking to each other in low voices, their red hair glistening in the dim light. Nan laughed, and said, "Dorian, Dorian, that was quite hysterical, for a moment I thought you might faint." Dorian drank his tea, and said dryly, "Well, she is quite something."

Nan, wrinkled her nose and said quietly, "Di is not usually charmed easily if there is something to learn, in this case accompanying would be enough, but they seem to get along well. I guess one can say that your Papa has obviously gone to the theater, if."

Dorian nodded curtly, and stirred his tea in silence, thinking of all the times he had visited the Kingsport Gentlemen's Club, but the porter had refused to say where Royal´s party had gone, he had said stiffly, "I have my orders, young sir. " In the quiet of Gardiner Hall, sometimes vaudeville music echoed from a rattling Victrola in the dark hours of the night, and now Dorian knew why, but he didn't quite know how to feel about it.


Alice, was drinking her third cup of tea, as she noticed a flash of red in the corner of her eye, and automatically her posture straightened as the familiar silvery light laugh broke through the soft hum of conversation, like a high note, as she observed how not one redhead but two were lingering at the piano. Alice stirred her tea fiercely and confessed to herself that it had been extremely difficult to watch as a spectator how Di performed with another, and that little slivery thorn of an emotion, had drawn Alice to the piano earlier, as she had performed one of those songs that she had sung with Irene, as an encore piece. Surprise had sparkled in Di's gray-green eyes, which looked even more translucent than usual, against the darkness of the dress, as she had said, in a good-natured way, "I thought you had stopped singing for a season, any singing that is!" Alice had looked at Di steadily as she whispered, "I can make exceptions, for you, and this is after all your evening."

Madeline's voice broke Alice's scattered thoughts, as she remarked, "Is everything alright?" Alice, glanced at Madeline's kind but tired face that looked like she had been awake a lot lately as her dark eyes had deep purple shadows under them. Alice, took a deep breath, and shook her head in silence, for she did not find words at all. Madeline nodded curtly, for a brief moment Alice felt as if Madeline wanted to say something, but then an uncharacteristically energetic Dorian approached them, and that moment was gone, once again.


At the piano, Winne glanced at Di, and said, thoughtfully, "That blonde girl, is the one you were talking to me about earlier, isn't she?" Winnie laughed gently teasingly, as she said, " There's no need to look so worried my lamb, you're with friends, here, as you know. And as for the blonde, I could say don't fold so easily if you want a conversation or maybe several make sure that they are also kept. She seems reasonable, in a sweetly cool way, I recognize the type. Perhaps the most important thing is this, don't put anyone on a pedestal, ever, because it's not worth it." Di, nodded barely perceptibly and smiled when she noticed Helene glancing in their direction, appraisingly, as did Alice too. Impishly, Di played a scale, and then another as Winnie hummed something fragile, and delicate melody with a sting in it.

In the cafe, the buzz of conversation had increased, and Di noticed how Dorian embraced both Dorothy and, after a little consideration, Ernie as well, as Nan walked around and looked thoughtfully at the interior, and of course she had stopped in front of a small bookshelf full of miscellaneous volumes.

Di noticed that Dorian and Nan were discussing something in a low voice and then Di was not at all surprised to hear Nan, as she said, "It's getting late, and Dorian said Thompson is taking me to Primrose Hollow, enroute to Gardiner Hall. I'm so proud of you, dear Di, for what you've achieved with all your hard work today."

Di, glancing at Nan, said half teasingly, "Tell me honestly, were you quite bored here, for I know you prefer the social sparkle of Gardiner Hall and the varied pomp of Redmond's formal occasions, for there is more opportunity for social observation, then here, in this place." Nan, took Di's long-fingered hands in her own smaller hands as she said, " This is not the kind of place I would have chosen myself, but it suits for you, as if you ordered it, and I can see that you feel at home, on many levels, I think, that this might be your version of Rainbow Valley, in a way, if I'm not mistaken?" Di, took a deep breath as she said, " No, you're right Nanlet." Nan, embraced Di, and said gravely, but very warmly, "Enjoy your evening, and tell me all, afterwards. A heap of letters to write await me now."

A hoarse clock chimed as the slightly creaky front door closed, behind Dorian and Nan, and it was as if some internal tension had been unleashed in the cafe, as the remaining handful customers occasionally glanced over the tables, at each other, cautiously, but every gesture, and swift glance was precisely determined. Helene placed a large bouquet of flowers in front of Di, and from the back of the room came Dorothy's carefree voice, " Dear Di, you have partially revived this sometimes somewhat sleepy cafe tonight by requesting that this evening be held here. I happen to know that sometimes you do too much, so for the rest of the night you just enjoy yourself, and this is a sincere request, no more work!"

At the same time, the champagne cork popped open, and Di playfully exclaimed, "Dorothy, isn't it a terrible waste to bring champagne here, with wartime rationing and all?" Dorothy laughed, and said softly, "It sure would if I had bought it, but since my family's wine cellars are open to me, I thought I'd take advantage of them, just this once." Ernestine, murmured relatively audibly, "My dear, you couldn't have said that in a not so Gardiner-way."

A smile appeared on Madeline's face, Winnie, laughed, as Helene gave a half-irritated sigh. The hours passed, as the champagne bottles slowly emptied, a ringing symphony of loving careless, joyous laughter and music echoed. Helene had replaced Di in front of the piano, as Winnie, crooned something low and sultry sounding, one song after another. Naturally the tables had been moved to the walls as an improv dance floor was born, on which people danced, slowly in a lingering way, as hands met and touched fleetingly, carefully but with intent. Madeline danced, as did Dorothy and Ernestine.

Alice glanced at Di, who seemed to be watching Helene's fingering with the utmost concentration, as the scales varied, and the song changed to another. Alice said in a gentle arch way, "Maybe you want to dance, we could do that if you want?" Di, glanced at Alice, as if weighing, and then she said, "No, this time, I think, for I am quite exhausted, it has been a long day." Alice glanced at Di inquisitively, as she said, "So it has. If we walk a little, perhaps we can wear off the effects of the champagne we drank before we go home." Di, nodded, as she was feeling a little woozy and floating, and she saw that Alice was not entirely steady, in her steps, a certain emphasized caution in her movements revealed it.

The cafe crowd gathered around them, and Helene said warmly, "Have a safe trip home, my dears, this evening has been wonderful!" Dorothy announced, "You both can stay with me, and Ernie there's no need for you dears to go as far as to Primrose Hollow." Madeline embraced both Alice and Di, as did Winnie, as they chorused in unison, " Stay safe, no short-cuts."


September evening was cold, after the warm warmth of the cafe, the wind had picked up, and the leaves that had fallen from the trees crunched under their steps. There were no stars, and Alice and Di walked quickly forward. There was enveloping, deceptively safe mist, darkness, the lingering scent of autumn, and Alice's alluring presence by her side, as the champagne had warmed her blood, Alice's face was were charmingly reddened, as she had taken one step towards Alice, when the light flickered in the mist, like a beam of light, on a stage that illuminates and covers everything.

Footsteps were heard, and echoing speech, in the mist that was like pea soup, "We got a tip, but there's nothing here, Ned. I think we've been tricked!" " A gruff voice said dryly, "Arrests must be made, we must maintain the morale of our city, and it is known that they are here somewhere, in the parks or hiding in the shadows."

Di, felt Alice squeeze her gloved hand extremely tightly. The rustling footsteps came closer, the spotlight too, and then the voice came again, "Ah, there's something here." A blinding light cut through the fog, and Di saw in front of her a young uniformed constable with a series of numbers on his uniform. The uniformed youth cleared his throat, and said in an official voice, "Ned, Ned, I found them! They were hidden, as you said, near that old silver willow!"

Ice water seemed to flow through Di's veins, at those words, and it was as if a bottomless chasm had suddenly opened up in front of her. Alice, was breathing shallowly, as she stood extremely straight, she had loosened her grip on Di's hand, as she had took three steps back as another beam of light cut through the fog. Rattling footsteps were heard, and a rough voice, said, "Will, wait till I get there, as proper forms must be done, but I think they're quaking in their boots, by now!" There was smell of bitter, pipe tobacco, it was everywhere, and then another figure floated out of the mist in front of them.

Barely breathing Di looked ahead, and saw a tall shouldered graying figure in a smart, slightly shabby coat, and a hat. A gruff voice said sharply, "Williams, next time I suggest you take a closer look before reporting, because you've definitely scared these two young ladies to death. They're Redmond co-eds, you see, that red and white rosette with the university symbol on their jackets. "

Di, looked up, and noticed that the grizzled man, seemed energetic, and his eyes, were cold and bluish and very attentive, as he said briefly, "Ladies, good evening, did your knitting circle run a little late, or where you knitting for our brave lads, in the front? Nevermind, that, if you see anything unusual even in the daylight, please report it to us, but now go to your boarding house, this park may be a nice place to walk during the day, all that picture perfect stillness and beauty of that Glazebo little further along, in another direction, but at night it is not, as there are unsavory sets lurking, in the shadows."

Di, saw the man hold out a thin card, which Alice, accepted with trembling fingers, then he made some sign to the constable, and the circle of light and footsteps disappeared, as they continued onwards, as mist muffled all sounds.


On shaky legs, almost running, Alice and Di arrived at Primrose Hollow, and never before had the click of a door lock sounded so lovely. Wordlessly, Di sank into the depths of the couch, and Alice sat across from her, her face white. Nan's voice came merrily from the kitchen, "You're here at last, Di and Alice, here's some tea if you want it, it'll take the chill of the evening off your hands, and I found something stronger too, though Susan wouldn't approve of it, except as a medicine, as flu-season is soon upon campus." The smell of brewed tannic tea and brandy was sharp, like a sharp, sudden note.

Di took a deep breath, as writhing shame, and slashing fear cut deep, and bile rose in her throat, and with difficulty she swallowed it down, for she knew that they, Alice, and her had been spared before by a quirky chance of some benevolence, or perhaps Walter looked after them, from heaven, someway. Alice, with slightly shaking hands, handed the brandy glass to Di, and Di raised her eyebrows, and said hoarsely, "Brandy, but you hate the smell of it?"

Alice, nodded, and cast a wary glance into the kitchen, where Nan was clattering, and whispered, "You're right, but it's better than nothing." A small graceful glass shimmered on the corner of the table, the spicy scent of brandy almost seemed to shimmer in the air.

Di, felt a sudden wave of nausea come over her, and she was noisily sick luckily, into an empty coal bucket, that was near fireplace. A rough, slightly damp towel and Nan's hands caressed Di's neck, as Nan said a little scoldingly, "Nerves at last, well tonight is over and you were wonderful, there's no need to worry anymore, as your novel has found its readers and it is now out in the world. You're completely exhausted and white as a scratched sheet, though this bed sheet analogy works for you too Alice."

Nan had expected an outpouring of protests, but they didn't come. Di and Alice exchanged glances as Alice caressed Di's hair gently as she slipped upstairs. Di, drank two cups of tea, and half a sandwich, and after that she said quietly, "Did you get your letters written?"

Nan, touched Jerry's ruby with her fingertip and smiled, dreamily, and said sincerely, "Yes, I did. And after that I read Persuasion, before I changed it to Tennyson. Well, tell me the rest of the evening, it sure was memorable!"

Di, stirred her tea quietly, for how to describe that atmosphere of free tenderness and companionship and love that rippled through the cafe almost as soon as the door had closed after her beloved twin, how Madeline had been teased about needing a vacation away from the library, as Winnie had performed some unknown song full of enchantment and sensitivity.

Nan, chuckled lightly, as she said, " Well, don't tell, then. I have an imagination. You know, Dorian developed a theory that most of the guests would have been guests of Dorothy's sewing club, isn't it funny, because of course it can't be true, it would be completely illogical." Di, smiled, and thought that for once Dorian was right.

Afterwards, in the twins' room, half awake, Nan had heard Di muttering in her sleep something about a red bloody sunset, the softness of silk, the wet, damp, red ivy vines that had been torn down, and the fog, and the light that blinded everything, intermittently, frantically, but then the depths of sleep overcame Nan and she fell asleep again.


Alice, closed the door of her room, and locked it tightly. The air in the room was stuffy, but the thought of fresh air at the moment after the foggy park scene was too unbearable, so Alice submitted to the stuffiness, with poor grace. She took out a small cardboard business card from her skirt pocket, and examined it in the light of the oil lamp, it read in stylized cursive, N.F. Burns, Kingsport Police Department, Vice Section, and soon the smell of charred paper was overshadowed by the scents of honey, lavender, and perfume, as Alice twirled the beads of her rosary in her hand, mechanically, until her fingers ached, as slowly the grayish watery light rose behind the windows.

The breakfast table at Primrose Hollow was quiet when Alice arrived. Nan was engrossed in the black titles with a frown, Di was buttering her toast with a distant look in her eyes, and when Nan had gone to her first lecture of the morning, her cheeks flushed with excitement, Di looked up from her teacup and said gravely , " No more sudden trysts at any park, I think?"

Alice nodded, and pushed the sugar bowl closer to Di and said carefully, "I burned that card, yesterday it seemed like a safer option." Di, rubbed her temples, and Alice inquired, "Headache?" Faintly Di, nodded, then she said, in cool tone. "We need to talk. I'm serious, one conversation is by no means enough, but right now there is no time, but that time will have to be carved, even if we do it by snatches."

Alice, nodding, got up, and began to take the dishes away from the table, but then she turned suddenly and said sharply, "Di, I've never seen you quite like that before, like yesterday, you were captivating. You always are, but yesterday somehow even more so."

A pale smile flashed across Di's face as she said, "Borrowed elegance, that's all it was, and maybe company that was excellent too. It's true what Mumsy said, kindred spirits really do come when you least expect it."

"Yes, it would seem to be so, is Winnie one of them, for you then?" Alice said quietly. Di, sighed, and said sharply, "She is like Madeleine, an adult, with whom I can sometimes drink tea, and talk, about various things, but the interesting thing is that the little jealousy, even if it was only musical quality, that drove you to ask that is a good sign, possibly."

Alice startled, and dropped the very ornate antique silver teaspoon on the floor, it rolled onto the rug, where it glistened in the sunlight, decoratively beautiful. Di, said calmly, "I just happened to notice certain things yesterday from which I drew conclusions, nothing more or less."

Alice, gave a forced laugh, and rubbed the bruise on her wrist under her sleeve restlessly with her thumb, as she said, "Perhaps, so, or you're over-interpreting as usual, but now we have to hurry if we don't want to be late for our lectures, as for that discussion, we will do it, soon, I promise."


There were several curious glances in Di's direction throughout the day on the Redmond campus, and occasional whispers in the corridor that Di did her best to ignore, as it was soon time for Professor Milne's lecture. After the lecture, Milne said, "Miss Blythe, a few weeks ago you gave me your novel to read, and now that it is officially in the hands of other readers, I can say that it has real promise, and a captivating charm that is disarming. Reviews, one of which is written by Owen Ford himself, in no way detract from the sales value of your work. It may not be the brightest occasion this autumn, but for a debut it is distinctive, without imitation, and that in itself is an achievement. I am proud of what you have achieved, and that I can to call you my student, just as your late brother was."

Tears came to Di's eyes, and with difficulty she nodded, hearing Milne's words. The professor, took a slightly wrinkled but clean handkerchief from his pocket, and said, in his mild style, " No, tears, not now. Lift up your chin and go to the library, for you must have something to study, even if you do not attend many of my lectures this term, unlike your twin, Nan, whose Gaskell arguments are watertight."

A little watery, silvery laughter echoed in the corridor as Di Blythe disappeared around the corner, and Professor Milne, rubbing his chin, and thinking of the hours he had sat by his cold pipe, and downright devoured the elaborate sentence structure, and the surprisingly vivid characters, and their pain and the surprising joy of hardwon that formed the heart of that novel, like the shimmering bluebell forest in the glen, from which the novel took its name.


Christine Stuart Dawson, walked into the hotel lobby with hurried but calm steps as desk-clerk, remarked in a polite voice, "Excuse me, Mrs. Dawson, a letter was brought here for you." Curious, Christine glanced at the sealed note, and put it in her purse, which already contained a small calendar and mint lozenges, and two pairs of thin gloves. Her rooms were quiet and empty, only the flower arrangements brought color, as her singature rosewater smelled softly. The light reflected through the translucent curtains, hazy, and in the street below, the autumn rain lashed the cobblestones.

Carelessly, Christine tossed her handbag on the dresser, and glanced over at her desk, where there were petitions, and a small pile of sheet music, pencils. Carelessly Christine sat down on the silk divan, she crossed her ankles, and cut open the thin letter, it contained only a few lines, and after reading them, Christine crumpled the letter into a ball and threw it violently at the wall, for it was not what she had expected, as usual Roy, complained of various things and asked for company for lunch. With soft steps she walked into her bedroom suite, and opened the wardrobe, and opened the lid of a box.

A triumphant smile lit up her eyes, as Christine carefully touched the softness of the braided silk, and she closed her eyes, and remembered a certain intimate scene that had occurred in this space.

Alice, half glancing up as she had carefully leaned against the door, remarked quietly, "I bruise easily." Christine, had looked at the girl for a long time, then replied with a cat-like stretch, "Really, is that perhaps a challenge? You really shouldn't be giving out that kind of information unless you want it to be used somehow? I can be very inventive if I put my mind on it."

A small smile flickered across Alice's face, as she said, "I thought it would be polite to say." Christine, got up from her dressing table and walked around Alices, white linen shift clad form slowly, as she did so she noticed how Alice, seemed a little flushed, so she said in a half challenging way "Dear you do seem a little bewitched, bothered and bewildered in a sweet way. Are you over your head, if so you can leave you know, but my door is always open if you should want it, if I happen to be here, that is not always the case."

At that little taunt, a small sliver of temper flashed in Alice's eyes, and seeing it, Christine's smile deepened, as she, extremely softly, lifted Alice's chin, and said, "Remember I can't promise gentleness." Alice's head dropped, as she nodded in a muted manner that had something challenging in it. The feeling of challenge literally tickled the air, and down to Christine´s spine as Alice had said, in a faintly breathless tone, "I gathered that."

As the following moments passed, Christine found, to her own surprise, that Alice more than matched her own frevor, as Christine's surprised laughter echoed in the dim room, something that hadn't happened in ages, as she eventually slowly tied with narrow ropes Alice´s sweat slik glistening form, as Alice said, with a breathless hint of a snap, "Don't coddle me."

"Very well, then," Christine said in a coolly imperial manner, as softly, but firmly, tied the ropes tighter, but still so as not to obstruct the circulation as she said, "Apparently from books, or perhaps from Dorothy's library, one can learn all kinds of things?"

Amused, Christine glanced at Alice, as a strong red flush glowed on the blonde girl's face, as Christine, said in a caressing tone, "You know, a few more moments of this, I think you might be begging, me to touch you, but I might not, as that would not be at all proper, even if I was tempted to do so."

The narrow braided silken ropes tightened, as Alice had turned, to to and fro, as the shadows deepened. Christine had hummed quietly, and waited, and waited, patiently. In the small hourglass on the bedside table, the sand had run down in a glistening pile. The sweet smell of cocoa had been everywhere, mixed with French perfume, as Alice had finally whispered, "Please."

Quietly, Christine had opened the ropes, as Alice had gasped sharply as the pressure had eased, and tremblingly she had looked in Christine's direction, openly pleading, in this one moment utterly bare, and vulnerable. And this moment was always worth all the varied preparation, as an almost intoxicating power, roared through Christine's veins, as she had smiled and caressed Alice's face, tenderly, with her gloved fingertips, and slowly, she had caressed Alice's shoulders and arms and said lightly, "My darling, you were right, you do bruise easily. You'll remember this night for a long time I think, but luckily it's not quite over yet. "

Alice, had nodded half exhausted and whispered, "My head is buzzing, and I feel like I'm flying, even though I know I'm not." Christine, pressed a light kiss on Alice's shoulder, as she said, "It will pass, eventually, remember to breathe."

Alice had smiled lightly, turned towards Christine, as she had said, in an impish way, "Perhaps, you can help me with that?" And Christine had, done so, in various ways. Afterwards, as Alice had drifted off, Christine had glanced at the sleeping girl next to her, and smiled triumphantly, and outlined her future repertoire, in her head.


A couple of days later a little note had been brought to the hotel, on which Alice had written the following lines in polite turns of phrase.

Dear Christine!

I have enjoyed immensely our singing exercises together, and the effort you have tirelessly invested in me, for I think I am now perhaps a little better, though not yet good enough, to the level you have decided I should reach. That said, I'm going to have to put our classes on hold for a while because this is my last year at Redmond. I need to focus on my studies, and as someone pointed out to me the other day, I'm not a music major. And now that I'm no longer taking up your time, you can do what you usually do, some obscure good works, and travel more if you want. As you have your project for which you can get more time now.

Regards,

Alice Parker.

Ps. If some of my things were left in the hotel suite, gather them together and deliver them to the reception in a box, I'll come pick them up at some point.


There was a sharp knock on the door of Christine's hotel suite, and with a slight start, she crept to the door, and opened it. In the doorway stood Royal, looking very irritated, as he snapped, "Well, finally, I figured you had some mysterious student of yours tied up somewhere in the room, or something when you didn't answer for a while. I'm in a crisis, and I need some advice, preferably right away!"

Christine, smiled and said, "Dear friend, as you know very well, I know nothing about investing or share prices, you have your congac cabinet for that, luckily." Roy snorted irritably as he brushed black curls from his forehead and said briefly, "Earlier this morning Dorian was in my study."

Christine fingered the flower arrangement lazily, as she said, "Well, isn't it good that he's finally showing an interest in what you're doing. Haven't you been gently training him for the past year, like a horse afraid of the saddle, if you let that a little rough simile?"

Roy, chuckled roughly, and said, "You're right, I have done just that, but my dear only son is not a horse. He accused me of some very strange things earlier today, and as a result I had a fight with Adeline."

Christine smiled lazily, as she said, "You're always arguing, and you've never told me the details before, and I don't want to know them, because Adeline is also my friend." Roy spread his arms theatrically and sighed, "True, but come to lunch, you're going to dry up in this mausoleum, as hotel food can be so trying day, after day. I have a suggestion, move to Gardiner Hall, there's plenty of room, and then you can save money too, wouldn't that be practical?"

Christine, laughed mockingly, as she replied, "If I did, either you or dearest Addie would be at my door all the time, no. It's better that things are as they are now."

After twenty minutes, over salmon and mashed potatoes, Roy put down his glass and said lowly, "Why when I listen to you my inner world, if not the international stock exchange rates, come into perspective, almost always?"

Christine, wiped her knife, as she said, " Because, I won't let you slip into overdramatics, like most people do, it is sometimes a very careful balance. I'm curious what Dorian accused you of, the bloody German chocolate again, or not doing enough for the home front or the war, both of which are subjects that could potentially cause disturbances at Hall, especially if Addie is having a bad day?"

Roy, shook his head, as he said, "He had got it into his head that sometimes I was at the theater watching various shows because I was interested in the performers, and Addie happened to hear Dorian's words and you can imagine what followed." Christine laughed brightly, and said, "Well, then Dorian accused you of the right thing for once, because that's what you do, or if not you then the other businessmen in your cognac cabinet, it is what it is."

Roy, snorted, and said, "So what should I do?" Christine cut her bread with sharp, almost twitching strokes as she said quietly, "Thinking about things like that I'm glad I only have dogs, but if you ask my advice, I say next time take Dorian with you, depends on the shows and plays of course, Kingsport is so provincial compared to Paris, but the back rooms of theathers always smell of the same, pleasurable work, and perfume, grease paint, and sometimes resin and ink."

An interested glint came into Roy's eyes as he replied, "It seems you have more specific information, more than I do. Have you by any chance done some comparative research in your lonely evenings perhaps?"

A slightly distant look came into Christine's eyes as she replied, "I've had my moments, you know."

The cold rain dappled the windows, and on the street corner large posters proclaimed in glaring letters, "Support the home front and get War Bonds, as they will help our brave boys at the Western Front, where the CEF forces keep the flag of the empire high!"