"All day! Dreadful—how very sad!" She laughed disagreeably. "And are you still so desperately in love with Phidias?"
"Of course. Why not? He's very good to me. Did you imagine I was not?"
"Oh, no," the other returned carelessly.
"Then why did you ask?"
"No reason at all except that—I like you pretty well myself. Clothes have been the making of you, Gus. You're an attractive woman now."
Mrs. Symes flushed with pleasure at the unusual compliment from Doctor Harpe.
"Am I? Really?"
"You are. I like women anyhow; men bore me mostly. I had a desperate 'crush' at boarding-school, but she quit me cold when she married. I've taken a great shine to you, Gus; and there's one thing you mustn't forget."
"What's that?" Mrs. Symes asked, smiling.
"I'm jealous—of your Phidias."