The Spectator., 1916-04-28
CHAPTER IX-Continued.

Hello Where's Fordo He gave me ticket to the theater tonight, and l want to punch his head Whats drama coming to, anyhow? Cigarettes and booze and mismated couples Cant they find good enough things out of doors? Oh. know. They cater to lot of fools who believe that what they see Is an expression of high life in New York and London. And it's rot. plain rot. It's merely the scum on the boiling pot. And any old house. wife would skim it off and chuck 1t into the slops, Life? Piffle,"
 Whats the grouch?"
 Looking for the dramatic job?"
 No. I've just been wondering how far these theatrical managers can go without sitting the golden goose"
 Norton sought his desk and began rummaging the drawers. He was not hunting for anything; he was merely passing away the time. By and by, when the pastime no longer served, he pulled his chair over to the window and sat down, staring at stars such
  going down to sea. ferries sweeping diagonally hither and thither, the clockwork signs; but he took no note of these marvels of light
 Not at home," he muttered
 He had called. written, telephoned. No use. The door remained shut, Jones answered the telephone. and the letters came back. He began to think very deeply concerning the Perigof woman. Had she played trick? Had that fainting spell been buncombe for his benefit as well as Florence's? But he had not a shadow of a proof. The thing that puzzled him equally with this was that all attempts against his life had miraculously ceased; no safes thundered down in front of him. and no autos tried to carve him in two. The only thing that kept him active was the daily call of Jones by wire. Miss Florence was well that was all Jones was permitted to say
 Restlessly Norton spurned his chair and walked over to the telephone booth. It was midnight. He might or might not be able to get Jones. But almost instantly voice said. What is it?"
 "Jones?"
 Yes. Who is it?" . Norton
 "Why you called me up not ten minutes ago"
 Not r."
 Tt was your voice. as plain as day What did waut?" keen all at once. The reply did not come immediately. You are certain it was not you?"
 Wait a moment and I'll call the editor He will prove to you that I've been here for an hour, and that this Is the first call I've made. Some one has been imposing on you. What did they ask you to do!"
 You asked me to come down to the office at once, and I requested you to come to the house, and you said you could not declined to stir
 What did you think!"
 Exactly what you're thinking-that they have come to life again"
 Jones. is Miss Florence awaker'
 
 NO"
 'Do you think there Is any hope of having her understand what really happened?'
 '1 am here only to guard her. I can not undertake to Id her thoughts" :" You're not quite in favor of rec onciliation?'
 "Oh, yes. If 1t went no further. Young people are young people the world over"
 What does that mean9"
 That they would not create imagi- rative heartaches If they were not young. Better let things remain ex. actly as they are. When all these troubles are settled finally. the lesser trouble may be talked over sensibly But this is not the time. There Is no news. Goodnight"
 Norton returned to his chair. gloom