“You think I’m jollying you, but I ain’t. I mean what I say. Common actors are poor associates for such a fellow as you are. You don’t drink, smoke or swear now, but, if you stick to the road, I’ll bet a month’s salary you are doing all three within a year.”
“I will not take your bet, for it would be robbing you, Miss Lee.”
“Don’t you believe yourself. I’d win. I know, for I’ve seen what it all leads to.”
“I don’t suppose you mean to say the life depraves everybody who follows it?”
“No, not that; but it’s a hard strain on a fellow. This knocking around just kills a person’s conscience. You’re the kind that’ll be a soft thing for every bum who wants to hit you up for a fiver. You will think they all mean to pay when they can, but by the time you have been beat right and left you’ll begin to get onto the game, and think you may just as well play it in order to get even. That’s what hurts. Borrow a five, and fail to pay it once, and you’ve got your start on the wrong road. The keen edge is taken off your conscience, and, before long, it gets pretty dull. Oh, I know what I’m givin’ yer!”
“Well, well!” exclaimed Frank, surprised. “Never thought I’d hear you preaching, Miss Lee.”
“Don’t call me Miss Lee! Don’t like it. I’m just plain Cassie, or Cass, to all the boys.”
“All right, I’ll call you Cassie, then.”
“Do. Don’t tell the other fellers I lectured yer. They’d say I’s getting soft. I don’t want Havener to know I take enough interest in you to say anything like I did to yer.”
“Don’t want Havener to know it?”