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 joined him in more jovial mood, wherefore the ponderous function of family dinner, with his father and the Dills and Lew, passed more agreeably than usual. Lew sustained the entertainment, in good enough humor, until nine o'clock, when he departed to a destination not designated. He refused the offer of other social engagements with the Rountrees but would spend some time at the office in the morning.

Ellen, knowing of this, did dodge Lew on the very next day. She awoke with a headache which she never would have offered as an excuse for absence, ordinarily; but she telephoned, saying she was sick. As a result, there arrived for her in the afternoon red roses which Di curiously examined with her, discovering the initials "L.A." upon the card and the inscription: "Take your time. No hurry."

"Who's your L.A.?" demanded Di and, in a moment, "Lew?"

Ellen's scarlet face answered her.

"Lew!" declared Di. "Sure, Lew!"

Ellen thrust the buds back into the box. How had he learned her address? From whom at the office?

Di elucidated this point; she laughed. "He has his nerve. He asked me where I lived after I told him I roomed with you."

"Last night?" inquired Ellen.

"We was at a little supper," informed Di. "Not much doing." Di did not dwell upon the affair. "So he put down my number to say it with flowers to you."

She gazed at Ellen, who closed the box and bore it to the rear porch and left it there. Upon her return,