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In fact, I have been debating today whether after all it wouldn’t be best for Lisle and me to get married right away, and then I would be in a position to mold her and train her in the things that will fit her for the life we have to live together. It’s just as well to be frank about it, don’t you think? And then I decided that perhaps it would be as well for her to get a little further training from the outside. But really, you know, I might be ordered to leave the country very soon as a soldier, and in that case I should insist that we be married at once. I would prefer that myself, I think, and then we could have a little enjoyment together before I go, anyway.”
    Then Lisle, quite white with excitement and anger, rose from her seat, and speaking in a low voice that could not be heard at the other tables, said, “I think this is about all I care to hear of this discussion, and I can settle the matter once and for all. I don’t intend to marry you, Victor Vandingham, either now or at any other time, and I do not intend to go away from my college and my home, either, to any place that you suggest. I do not
want
your suggestions, and you certainly do not have any right, nor ever will have any right to make suggestions to me or my family. Now, Mother, I’m going on to have my hair done, and I’ll meet you at the Red Cross class this evening. Good-bye, Victor. I think this is probably the last time I shall see you to talk to you. I could never forget what you have said and the way you have changed.”
    “Now, Lisle, don’t be silly!” said the boy. “What’s the matter with you? Can’t you take kidding anymore? You used to be a good sport. I had no idea you were getting so narrow in your viewpoint. Forget it, Lisle. I came here this afternoon intending to take you to the football game. It’s going to be a good game, and we’ll have fun. Sit down till I pay the check and then we’ll go on to the game and get straightened out. I don’t suppose you’d care to go to the game, too, Mother Kingsley, would you? I can easily get another ticket.”
    “Certainly not,” said Mrs. Kingsley, rising.
    “And I certainly do not care to go either,” said Lisle firmly. “I have things to do and engagements to keep. Besides, I would not care to go anywhere with you.” She turned and marched across the tearoom, stepping into the elevator that was just closing its door. It was the most thorough turning down that Victor Vandingham had ever had, though he was not greatly depressed by it. He had faith in himself and his own charm and felt he could soon win Lisle back to himself again. He would punish her for a few days and then win her back.
    So he lingered till Mrs. Kingsley had gone, had a few low-spoken words with the girl Cherry, made a tentative date with her for the evening, then went gaily away.

Chapter 3
    L isle Kingsley, as she walked out of the tearoom and went down in the elevator, was so angry she could hardly see where she was going. She couldn’t remember ever having felt so indignant before! To think that Victor Vandingham had
dared
to talk that way to her mother, and about her! Actually taking it for granted that he and she were to be married, when he hadn’t ever said a word about it to her! Just coming out in the open and announcing that it was going to happen, as if his word was law!
    Lisle’s ideas of marriage were very sacred and beautiful. When she was quite a little girl her mother had told her bits of stories from her own romance. She had told how she was walking along one day and saw a young stranger, very tall and handsome, with a pleasant look in his eyes, and then how she had met him at a friend’s house at dinner one evening, and how he had called to see her and taken her places, and what nice times they had had together. Picnics and parties and lectures and concerts. Those brief pictures had lingered in the mind of the child, always culminating in the final love story.
    How Daddy had told