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 "I have gone," he answered, calmly.

"Oh!"

"Yes, I didn't want to be in your way, so I took myself off. I'm really rather thoughtful of others. Come here, Bistre; you are not to disturb Miss Lynde, sir. You must retire into the distance with me and share my exile."

"I fear you don't know the difference between distance and foreground," said the girl.

"I am not up on matters pertaining to art," he answered, easily. "We are Philistines, Bistre and I. But please don't let us disturb you. We are quite content to sit here and only speak when we're spoken to."

"On that condition," she replied, "you may remain."

"Thank you," he murmured. "Do you mind if I smoke a pipe?"