Part 26 (1/2)

”Well?” he queried.

”It's all so exactly the same,” responded Trix.

”I never cared for change,” said Nicholas shortly.

And then the door opened.

”Jessop,” said Nicholas smooth-voiced, ”Will you kindly bring tea for me and this young lady.”

A flicker, a very faint flicker of amazement pa.s.sed over the man's face.

”Yes, sir,” he responded, and turned from the room.

”An excellent servant,” remarked Nicholas.

”I wonder,” said Trix reflectively, ”how they manage to see everything, and look as if they saw nothing. When I see things it's perfectly obvious to everyone else I am seeing them. I--I _look_.”

”So do most people,” returned Nicholas.

When, some half-hour later, Trix rose to take leave, Nicholas again held out his hand. ”I believe I'd ask you to come and pay me another visit,”

he said, ”but it would be wiser not. It is not easy for--er, dead men to receive visitors.”

”I wish you hadn't--died,” said Trix impulsively.

”Do you mean that?” asked Nicholas curiously.

Trix nodded. There was an odd lump in her throat, a lump that for the moment prevented her from speaking.

”You're a queer child,” smiled Nicholas.

The tears welled up suddenly in Trix's eyes.

”It's so lonely,” she said, with a half-sob.

”My own doing,” responded Nicholas.

”That doesn't make it nicer, but worse,” gulped Trix.

Nicholas held her hand tighter.

”On the contrary, it's better. It's my own choice.” He emphasized the last word a little.

Trix was silent. Nicholas let go her hand.

”Let yourself out the front way,” he said. ”I am sorry I am unable to accompany you.”

Trix went slowly to the library door. At the door she turned.