“And you live out here by yourself, without any other woman? Aren’t you lonely?”

“I’m too busy.”

“You work with the men—just like one of them?”

“Just like a man,” Kate repeated evenly.

“It is quite—quite wonderful!” Beth subtly conveyed the impression that on the contrary she thought it was dreadful.

Kate drew back her head a little and looked at her visitor.

“Is it?” coolly.

“And Hugh never has told me a word about you—he’s been so reticent.” She laid her finger tips upon his arm in proprietory fashion while a sly malice shone through the mischievousness of her smile.

Disston colored.

Kate replied ironically: