Quair and Guilder were in the studio that day on business; Drenecontinued to modify his composition in accordance with Guilder'ssuggestions; Quair, always curious concerning Drene, was becomingslyly impudent.

"And listen to me, Guilder. What the devil's a woman betweenfriends?" argued Quair, with a malicious side glance at Drene. "Youtake my best little child away from me--"

"But I don't," remarked his partner dryly.