"And what it all comes to is—"
"Is that you're facing a very hard time, Hugh, and I don't feel that I can accept the responsibility of encouraging you to do it."
"But, good Lord, Alix, you're not encouraging me. It's the other way round. You're a perfect wet blanket; you're an ice-water shower. I'm doing this thing on my own—"
"You know, Hugh, I've seen your father since you went away."
His face brightened.
"Good! And did he show any signs of tacking to the wind?"
"Not a bit. He said you would be ruined, and that I should ruin you."
"The deuce you will! That's where he's got the wrong number, poor old dad! I hope you told him you would marry me—and let him have it straight."
I made no reply to that, going on to tell him all that was said as to bringing J. Howard to his knees.
He roared with ironic laughter.