Page:Temple Bailey--The Gay cockade.djvu/23

 clear night with a moon above the pines. A great log burned in the fireplace, a shaded lamp threw a circle of gold on shining mahogany. It seemed to me that Jimmie's writing quarters were even more attractive in December than in June.

Yet, looking back, I can see that to Jimmie the little house was a sort of prison. He loved men and women, contact with his own kind. He had even liked our dingy old office and our dreary, dried-up selves. And here, day after day, he sat alone—as an artist must sit if he is to achieve—es bildet ein Talent sich in der Stille.

We sat around the fire in deep leather chairs, all except Elise, who had a cushion on the floor at Jimmie's feet.

He read with complete absorption, and when he finished he looked at me. "What do you think of it?"

I had to tell the truth. "It isn't your masterpiece."

He ran his fingers through his hair with a nervous gesture. "I told Elise that it wasn't."

"But the girl"—Elise's gaze held hot resentment—"is wonderful. Surely you can see that."

"She doesn't seem quite real."

"Then Jimmie shall make her real." Elise laid her hand lightly on her husband's shoulder. Her gown and golden net were all flame and sparkle, 17