"O, Pickering!" Polly actually ran into the drawing-room with outstretched hands. "Why did Jencks put you in here?"
"I asked to come in here," said Pickering. "I don't want to see a lot of people to-night; I only want you, Polly."
"But Mamsie could help you-she'd know the right thing to say to you," said Polly.
"No, no!" cried Pickering in