And as in a reluctant way, in sentences abrupt and bald, he answered all her questions, again and again did Ethel feel a little wave of excitement.

For Nourse was speaking of Joe's youth--of college and later of Paris, and then of a group of young men in New York, would--be architects, painters and writers who had lived near Washington Square; of long talks, discussions, plans, and of all night work in the architect's office where he and Joe had worked side by side.

Joe had been a "designer" there; he had been the brilliant one of the two, and the more impassioned and intense and bold in his conceptions.

There was a feeling almost of reverence in the low, rough voice of Joe's friend.

He told how Joe had risen, until in a few years he became the chief designer for his firm; and of how from other firms offers had come.