Thecolonelroseatthetouch。“Tellher，sir，“hesaidhuskily，butwithslowdeliberation，“thatI’amup’andleavingthisplacewithmyward，MissStannard。Good-morning。“HeliftedPansywithinfinitecourtesyfromherchair，tookherhand，strolledtothecounter，threwdownagoldpiece，andpassingthetableoftheastonishedfaironewithaninflatedbreast，sweptwithPansyoutoftheshop。Inthestreethepaused，biddingthechildgoon；andthen，findinghewasnotfollowedbythewoman’sescort，rejoinedhislittlecompanion。
Forafewmomentstheywalkedsilentlysidebyside。ThenPansy’scuriosity，gettingthebetterofherpout，demandedinformation。
Shehadappliedachild’sswiftlogictothescene。Thecolonelwasangry，andhadpunishedthewomanforsomething。Shedrewclosertohisside，andlookingupwithherbigeyes，saidconfidentially。
“Whathadshebeena-doing？“
Thecolonelwasamazed，embarrassed，andspeechless。Hewastotallyunpreparedforthequestion，andasunabletoanswerit。