“This is better than I expected,” said he. “I always manage to include Pompton Avenue in my tramps lately, but this is the first time I’ve caught a glimpse of you.”

“You are looking badly,” she commented. “You are working too hard.”

“One must, in a fight like mine. It’s nothing to what I must do during my tour. Everything depends on that. I start to-morrow.”

“So soon? I’m sorry.”

“Why?” he asked in some surprise.

“I’m afraid you’ll find Mr. Conover stronger up-State than you think. I don’t like to see you disappointed.”

“You care?”

“Of course I do. I hate to see anyone disappointed.”

“How delightfully impersonal!” grumbled Clive, in disgust.

“I thought you were averse to personalities. You’ve said so in both the speeches I’ve heard you make.”