"No, Jim; my snooping days are about over. Dissection wearies; the clinic is a bore. I'm beginning to be content with the surface of things; I'm tending toward impressionism and the elimination of detail--toward the blessed serenity of stupidity. There is rest, there."
"Rest," he repeated, smiling. "Of what are you already tired?"
"I am tired of intelligence. It's too exacting. It forms a liaison with conscience, and affronts inclination. I'm tired of rule and precept with which an occult and inborn tyranny shackles me. I'm tired of more than that--but isn't that sufficient to fatigue a girl?"
"Heavy chains," he said, looking at the figures on the carpet, tracing them with an incurious eye.
He rose, walked to the window, drew the curtain, and looked out at the November stars. Limpid, inexorable, the countless eyes of the night met his. Whatever message they held for him he seemed to understand it, for, presently he came quietly back to her.
"Yes," he said, "it's a good game, after all. The main thing is to get into it and stay there--_in medeas res_--squarely." He looked up, smiling. "Your superb interference put me there. Why do you deny it?"
"Does it please you that I should not deny it?"
"Then I affirm and deny nothing--which makes me sufficient of a nonentity to suit you, I hope."
A moment later the bell rang, and Silvette and Jack, followed by Mr. Rivett, came laughing through the hall and into the little parlor.
"Jim! At last!" cried Silvette, giving him both hands.
"How are you, cousin! How are you, Mr. Rivett! Hello, Jack!" he said as they surrounded him with lively greetings.
"How goes it?" inquired Mr. Rivett dryly.
"By jove, I did! He was tremendously interesting--and exceedingly cordial to me."
Mr. Rivett nodded. He might have said that he kept McMillan in his vest pocket, but he only stared at Edgerton through his big, round glasses.
They all had supper together, later; Jack and Silvette bubbled enthusiasm over the play and the splendid cast; Dineen came in and talked business to Rivett in casual undertones; Diana and Edgerton were quieter, even inclined to silence.
Meanwhile Jack was consulting Silvette about theater plans for the following evening, and Edgerton said that he would return from business in time to join them.