Chapter X: (Tuesday, February 5.)

SHE--Madison 7-9-3-1-y, please. Is Mr. Carroll Vincent up? At breakfast? Please tell him Miss Pratt wishes to speak to him. Oh, Carroll, I haven't slept a wink since you left me at the door! I'm so happy! I just lay awake thinking of last night, and then I thought I'd get up and 'phone you before you went downtown. I'm so happy!

HE--I'm glad you are, sweetheart. I'll try all my life to keep you so. I wish I could get closer to you than over this 'phone.

SHE--What would you do?

HE--I'd kiss you and whisper how I love you.

SHE--Don't, Carroll, don't! The telephone girl will hear you.

HE--What do I care? I feel like going around and shouting to all the world, "She loves me, she loves me, she loves me!" just to tell them how happy I am.

SHE--Oh, Carroll, don't do that!

HE--You don't suppose I'd do it, little darling, do you? No, this is our precious little secret. Just we two.

SHE--I don't deserve all this joy, Carroll. I don't feel I'm good enough for you--indeed, I don't.

HE--I thought you promised me in the carriage that you would never talk like that again.

SHE--I can't help it, Carroll. I feel so unworthy of you. I never felt like that before in my life. But when--when you put your arm around me--I just thought--well, I just thought how grand and noble you are and how trifling and insignificant I am.

HE--Don't, don't say that, little sweetheart.

SHE--I just can't help it. I'm so happy I want to cry.

HE--I understand, dear girl.

SHE--And when you asked me in the alcove if I--whether I would give myself to you for keeps--and you spoke so beautifully, Carroll!--indeed, I had trouble to keep back the tears. Love is a wonderful thing, isn't it?

HE--It is, dearest.

SHE--You are coming early tonight, aren't you?

HE--I will fly to you as soon as I can. I tell you what, can't you meet me downtown and have lunch with me?

SHE--Oh! may I? You know I'd just love to!

HE--Well, meet me at half-past 12. Usual corner, you know--Fidelity Building. Goodbye until then.