He suddenly felt an impulse to get back to sanity by a talk with Vona.  He had never called at her home.  He knew his Egypt all too well—­short as his stay had been!  A call on a young woman by a young man was always construed by gossip as a process of courtship—­and until that day Frank had been keeping his feelings hidden even from Vona herself.

But, having definitely decided to leave the town, he was in a mood to put aside considerations of caution in regard to their mutual affairs, for one evening, at any rate.  He was moved also by the reflection that her father was at home—­and the Squire and Xoa had dropped broad hints as to that gentleman’s methods of operation with his womenkind.  Vaniman possessed youth’s confidence in his ability to make good in the world.  He wondered if it would not be well to have a general show-down in the Harnden family, in order that when he went away from Egypt he might go with the consolation of knowing that Vona was waiting for him, her love sanctioned.

Pondering, he arrived in front of Egypt’s humble town hall.  Young folks were coming out of the door.  He remembered then!  For some weeks they had been rehearsing a drama to be presented on the eve of Washington’s Birthday, and Vona had the leading role; she had employed him at slack times in the bank to hold the script and prompt her in her lines.

He saw her and stopped, and she hastened to him.  “I suppose a political parade on Broadway wouldn’t break up a rehearsal, Frank.  But that’s what has happened in this case.  Not one of us could keep our minds on what we were saying.”

“I’m not surprised.  Any noise of an evening in this place, except an owl hooting, is a cause for hysterics.”

She walked on at his side.  “You’re disgusted with our poor old town,” she said, plaintively.

“I’m going to leave.  Do you blame me?”

“I’ve heard about the—­whatever it was!”

“That’s right!  Leave it unnamed—­whatever it was!”

She touched his arm timidly.  “Please be kind—­to me—­no matter how much cause you have to dislike others here.”

He stopped, put his arms about her, and drew her into a close embrace.  There were shadows of buildings where they stood; no one was near.

“I can’t do my best here, Vona.  You understand it.  But I can’t go away and do the best that’s in me unless I go with your pledge to me.”

“You have it, Frank!  The pledge of all my love.”

“But your folks!  They tell me your father is at home.”

“I have said nothing to father and mother—­naturally.”  She smiled up at him.  “I have never had any occasion to say anything to them about my loving anybody, because that matter has never come up till now.”

“I am going home with you,” he said, grimly, and drew her along, his arm linked in hers.

“If you think it is advisable for me to talk with father and mother, I’ll do it—­I’ll do it to-night,” she volunteered, courageously.