It was not till she saw him actually standing there before her with hishair rumpled and a large smut on the tip of his nose, that Sally reallyunderstood how profoundly troubled she had been about this young man,and how vivid had been that vision of him bobbing about on the waters ofthe Thames, a cold and unappreciated corpse. She was a girl of keenimagination, and she had allowed her imagination to riot unchecked.

　　Astonishment, therefore, at the extraordinary fact of his being therewas for the moment thrust aside by relief. Never before in her life hadshe experienced such an overwhelming rush of exhilaration. She flungherself into a chair and burst into a screech of laughter which even toher own ears sounded strange. It struck Ginger as hysterical.

　　"I say, you know!" said Ginger, as the merriment showed no signs ofabating. Ginger was concerned. Nasty shock for a girl, finding blightersunder her bed.

　　Sally sat up, gurgling, and wiped her eyes.

　　"Oh, I am glad to see you," she gasped.

　　"No, really?" said Ginger, gratified. "That's fine." It occurred to himthat some sort of apology would be a graceful act. "I say, you know,awfully sorry. About barging in here, I mean. Never dreamed it was yourroom. Unoccupied, I thought.""Don't mention it. I ought not to have disturbed you. You were havinga nice sleep, of course. Do you always sleep on the floor?""It was like this...""Of course, if you're wearing it for ornament, as a sort ofbeauty-spot," said Sally, "all right. But in case you don't know, you'vea smut on your nose.""Oh, my aunt! Not really?""Now would I deceive you on an important point like that?""Do you mind if I have a look in the glass?""Certainly, if you can stand it."Ginger moved hurriedly to the dressing-table.

　　"You're perfectly right," he announced, applying his handkerchief.

　　"I thought I was. I'm very quick at noticing things.""My hair's a bit rumpled, too.""Very much so.""You take my tis," said Ginger, earnestly, "and never lie about underbeds. There's nothing in it.""That reminds me. You won't be offended if I asked you something?""No, no. Go ahead.""It's rather an impertinent question. You may resent it.""No, no.""Well, then, what were you doing under my bed?""Oh, under your bed?""Yes. Under my bed. This. It's a bed, you know. Mine. My bed. Youwere under it. Why? Or putting it another way, why were you under mybed?""I was hiding.""Playing hide-and-seek? That explains it.""Mrs. What's-her-name--Beecher--Meecher--was after me.

　　Sally shook her head disapprovingly.

　　"You mustn't encourage Mrs. Meecher in these childish pastimes. Itunsettles her."Ginger passed an agitated hand over his forehead.