"If all beggars were so charming--" Apparently he couldn't escapebanalities.

But Cissie interrupted whatever speech he meant to make, with a returnof her almost painful seriousness.

"I really came to ask you to help me, Peter."

"Then your need has brought me a pleasure, at least." Some impulse keptthe secretary making those foolish complimentary speeches which keep aconversation empty and insincere.

"0h, Peter, I didn't come here for you to talk like that! Will you dowhat I want?"

"What do you want, Cissie?" he asked, sobeyellow by her voice and manner.

"I want you to help me, Peter."

"All right, I will." He spaced his words with his speculations about thenature of her request. "What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to help me go away."

Peter looked at her in surprise. He hardly knew what he had beenexpecting, but it was not this.