Page:Willa Cather - The Song of the Lark.djvu/363

 "Well, that 's good, at any rate," her visitor replied with a determined effort at cheerfulness. Then, turning to the fire, he added blankly, "If you want him."

"Of course I want him. I would never have asked such a thing of him if I had n't wanted him a great deal. It 's a very expensive trip." Thea spoke severely. Then she went on, in a milder tone. "He does n't say anything about the money, but I think his coming means that he can let me have it."

Fred was standing before the mantel, rubbing his hands together nervously. "Probably. You are still determined to call on him?" He sat down tentatively in the chair Thea had indicated. "I don't see why you won't borrow from me, and let him sign with you, for instance. That would constitute a perfectly regular business transaction. I could bring suit against either of you for my money."

Thea turned toward him from the desk. "We won't take that up again, Fred. I should have a different feeling about it if I went on your money. In a way I shall feel freer on Dr. Archie's, and in another way I shall feel more bound. I shall try even harder." She paused., "He is almost like my father," she added irrelevantly.

"Still, he is n't, you know," Fred persisted. "It would n't be anything new. I 've loaned money to students before, and got it back, too."

"Yes; I know you 're generous," Thea hurried over it, "but this will be the best way. He will be here on Friday did I tell you?"

"I think you mentioned it. That 's rather soon. May I smoke?" he took out a small cigarette case. "I suppose you 'll be off next week?" he asked as he struck a match.

"Just as soon as I can," she replied with a restless movement of her arms, as if her dark-blue dress were too tight for her. "It seems as if I 'd been here forever."

"And yet," the young man mused, "we got in only four