Her caller was not blind to the excitement which showed in Alice’s face, and the formalities were scarcely over before he asked the question which brought a violent color to the girl’s cheeks.

“So it’s come, has it—­just as I said it would?”

“What has come?” Alice busied herself with the teacups which the butler had already placed on the little table in front of her, and appeared to be mystified, though she knew well what he meant.

“That doesn’t surprise me any,” Allen continued, “but I really didn’t think it would set you up so much when it did strike.”

“I suppose you are enjoying this monologue,” she replied.  “Don’t mind me if it gives you any pleasure.”

“Look here, Alice”—­he became desperate—­“why can’t we talk it over without having to jump all these high hurdles?  I know you don’t care anything about me, and you know that I can’t see anything in life worth while except you, so the situation is clear on both sides.  But I can’t let that four-flusher pull the wool over your eyes without saying, ‘Beware of the dog.’  I shouldn’t be a man if I did.”

“You take advantage of our friendship,” she said, severely; “but there are limits beyond which even an old friend cannot go, and you’ve reached them.  Mr. Covington is a friend too; I don’t admit that he is more than this, but I shan’t let you say unfair things about him any more than I should listen to similar things about you.  Come now, let’s drop the subject.  How many lumps will you have?”

“Two lumps, and—­no lemon, please.”

“You say you wouldn’t be a man if you didn’t warn me,” the girl went on; “but it is because you are not that you talk as you do.  You find me agreeable, and, boy-like, think you want to marry me.  Pat thinks she wants to marry you—­you are both children, and both behave the same.”

Allen put his cup down on the table untasted.  “Is there no way I can convince you that I’ve grown up?” he demanded.

“Yes; drop all this nonsense about me, and make yourself a place in the world as Mr. Covington has done.”

“Never!” he almost shouted.  “You don’t know how he’s made his place, or you wouldn’t say that.  Do you want me to climb up by stepping all over those who have helped me, to play double with every one I meet, to crisscross even on the man who trusts me most, and finally try to cinch my position by marrying his daughter?  If that’s your idea of being a man, I’ll tell you right now, not for mine.”

Alice rose, with flaming face.  “I told you that you had reached the limit, Allen—­now you have passed it.  Oh! why did I let you go on!  I like you so much, and I want to see you succeed.  I’ve tried to help you all I could, and this is the result.  Now we can’t even be friends any more, and this insane jealousy of yours will spoil your chances in the Companies.  Oh, Allen, Allen—­why can’t you grow up and be sensible!”