He had not even asked her where she
was stopping.
He took a long walk that afternoon, and re-made his noon-hour
resolution. He would keep away from her. It might hurt her at
first, but she was young. She would forget. And he must not stand
in her way. Having done which, he returned to the Shoreham and
spent an hour in a telephone booth, calling hotels systematically
and inquiring for her.
When he finally located her his voice over the wire startled her.
"Good heavens, Clay," she said. "Are you angry about anything?"
"Of course not. I just wanted to - I am leaving to-night and I'm
saying good-by. That's all."
"Oh!" She waited.
"Have you had a pleasant afternoon?"
"Aren't you going to see me before you go?"
"I don't think so."
"Don't you want to know what I am doing in Washington?"
"That's fairly clear, isn't it?"
"You are being rather cruel, Clay."
He hesitated. He was amazed at his own attitude. Then, "Will you
dine with me to-night?"
"I kept this evening for you.
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