Peter hesitated.  He felt ridiculous for the second time that night.  Then:—­

“It was merely an idea I had.  I saw a little apartment furnished—­you could learn to use the stove, unless, of course, you don’t like housekeeping—­and food is really awfully cheap.  Why, at these delicatessen places and bakeshops—­”

Here he paused for breath and found Dr. Gates’s quizzical glance fixed on him, and Harmony’s startled eyes.

“What I am trying to say,” he exploded, “is that I believe if you would marry me it would solve some of your troubles anyhow.”  He was talking for time now, against Harmony’s incredulous face.  “You’d be taking on others, of course.  I’m not much and I’m as poor—­well, you know.  It—­it was the apartment that gave me the idea—­”

“And the stove!” said Harmony; and suddenly burst into joyous laughter.  After a rather shocked instant Dr. Gates joined her.  It was real mirth with Harmony, the first laugh of days, that curious laughter of women that is not far from tears.

Peter sat on the bed uncomfortably.  He grinned sheepishly and made a last feeble attempt to stick to his guns.

“I mean it.  You know I’m not in love with you or you with me, of course.  But we are such a pair of waifs, and I thought we might get along.  Lord knows I need some one to look after me!”

“And Emma?”

“There is no Emma.  I made her up.”

Harmony sobered at that.

“It is only”—­she gasped a little for breath—­“it is only your—­your transparency, Peter.”  It was the first time she had called him Peter.  “You know how things are with me and you want to help me, and out of your generosity you are willing to take on another burden.  Oh, Peter!”

And here, Harmony being an emotional young person, the tears beat the laughter to the surface and had to be wiped away under the cover of mirth.

Anna Gates, having recovered herself, sat back and surveyed them both sternly through her glasses.

“Once for all,” she said brusquely, “let such foolishness end.  Peter, I am ashamed of you.  Marriage is not for you—­not yet, not for a dozen years.  Any man can saddle himself with a wife; not every man can be what you may be if you keep your senses and stay single.  And the same is true for you, girl.  To tide over a bad six months you would sacrifice the very thing you are both struggling for?”

“I’m sure we don’t intend to do it,” replied Harmony meekly.

“Not now.  Some day you may be tempted.  When that time comes, remember what I say.  Matrimonially speaking, each of you is fatal to the other.  Now go away and let me alone.  I’m not accustomed to proposals of marriage.”

It was in some confusion of mind that Peter Byrne took himself off to the bedroom with the cold tiled stove and the bed that was as comfortable as a washtub.  Undeniably he was relieved.  Also Harmony’s problem was yet unsolved.  Also she had called him Peter.