The House Opposite. J. Farjeon Jefferson

this happier stair the young man and the girl heard dance music and rippling laughter. They were not very interested in either the music or the laughter, however, and they had actually sought their bottom stair in an effort to escape from them. The world we are momentarily peeping into comprised just their two selves, and they did not want to be reminded of any other personalities.

      ‘Oh, for a desert!’ sighed the young man.

      ‘Or the North Pole!’ added the girl.

      ‘Or the moon,’ suggested the young man. ‘But, you know, I believe people would follow us even there! Why is it, Ruth, that when two persons want to be alone, the entire population of the globe insists on pursuing them?’

      ‘Well, we’re alone now,’ the girl pointed out.

      ‘So we are!’ smiled the young man.

      But before he could celebrate the fact a door opened, and more population poured towards them.

      ‘Look here—I’ve an idea!’ whispered the young man.

      ‘It sounds splendid,’ the girl whispered back.

      ‘It is splendid,’ said the young man. ‘Are you game?’

      ‘For anything!’

      ‘Right! Then do you remember that seat where we had our first real chat?’