Page:Firecrackers a realistic novel.pdf/61

 O'Grady approached him. Shaking hands, the fellow apologized: I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.

Apparently by common consent, although the direction had actually been chosen by Gunnar, they began to walk rapidly towards the east, against the tide of humanity that swarmed to the subway Moloch. Paul did not know whither they were bound or why they were going anywhere, but it was certainly more comfortable to walk than to stand still in the nipping air, especially as O'Grady had the manner of a person with a destination in view.

I'm delighted to meet you again, the ex-boiler-mender cheerfully volunteered. You know, I have two books of yours.

O, I didn't give a damn about the books, Paul stammered, but I did want to find you. I've tried every way I could think of to get in touch with you. I've even advertised in the papers. He grinned.

O'Grady returned the grin but it was confused on his face with an expression of astonishment. Why, he declared, I would have come back. You should have known that. I had to return the books. I wanted to look them over, and I suddenly remembered an engagement, and you were away so long—I might have left a note.

You didn't leave anything except a trail of unsatisfied curiosity.

Still curious? Well, this is a happy ending. Come home with me this time.