“No doubt of that.  She’s a mighty good girl, and if she can make shift to be a good-looking one as well, there may be a bit of fun left in life for her yet.  She’s by no means old, and you’ve made her young,—­bless your generous heart!  I don’t know how you ever managed to get her consent, though.  She thinks that uniform is her shell, and can’t be doffed.  But I don’t think she’s likely to get much fun out of Leaver to-night.  He’s just about fit for bed, or I’m no diagnostician.”

“Then let’s put him there,” said Ellen, promptly.

“Oh, I don’t mean that literally.  One of your dinners ought to set him up, and Amy Mathewson won’t make any exacting demands on his brilliancy.”

“Won’t she?  You can’t tell what pretty clothes may do for her.  She will surprise you some time, in spite of the fact that you know her so well.”

“Wise woman.  She will, if you have a hand in the game.  You can be trusted to bring out every one’s best.  Bother this tie—­it acts like original sin.”

“I won’t offer to tie it for you.  I can’t imagine Redfield Pepper Burns allowing his wife to tie his cravat for him.”

“Can’t you?  That is to say, won’t you?” He came close.

She shook her head, and moved away, smiling.  “It would destroy a certain ideal.  Stop laughing!  One of your most powerful charms for me is your independence.”

He groaned and continued to struggle with the bow of black silk which eluded his efforts to fasten it securely.  “I thought all women delighted in getting their husband’s neckwear adjusted according to their own notions.  Another dream shattered!—­Well, here goes for the last time.  If I can’t get it right now I’ll go in and implore Jack to do it for me.  It will open his eyes as to how far hopes may be slain by realities.  There!  That’s a pretty good result, at last.  I’ll go across now, and see if he wants any of my assistance.”

Ten minutes later both men appeared in the living-room.  In his evening attire Dr. Leaver looked a tall and sombre figure, and the contrast between him and his friend, as Red Pepper stood beside him on the hearth-rug, the picture of ruddy health, was startling.

“You must be pretty heavy, Red,” Leaver said considering his host.  “Not a particle of superfluous fat, but good, solid structure, I should say.  One wouldn’t want to try to pass you against your will, in a narrow alley, on a dark night.”

“It strikes me you could glide by me in the shadow and never attract my attention,” Burns replied, his keen eyes on his friend’s face.  “The difference between us is that every inch of you represents concentrated energy, while my plant spreads all over the landscape without producing half as much power.”

Leaver smiled.  There was both strength and sweetness in his smile, but there was depression in it also.  “That sounds like you,” he said.  “I suppose many men envy other men the possession of some supposed source of efficiency.  Just now I find myself envying you your home—­and its occupants.  What a delightful room.”