Mona flushed slightly and raising her eyes and looking full at him, responded, "Do all the men in your world despise women as you do, and is there not among them one who is good and tender and truthful?"
Winn remained silent a moment, for the delicate reproach of her words was unexpected.
"There may be some," he answered evasively at last, "but I have never met them and a man is apt to judge all women by those he has known."
"And if there is now and then one among them who is not false-hearted," continued Mona, "is she not respected and loved for it?"
"She might be by some," he answered doubtfully, "but most would call her stupid."
"Would the men call her stupid?" persisted Mona.
"Some of them would," he answered, smiling at her earnestness, "but most of them would take advantage of it. World-wise men grow to be selfish." Then, as if the subject was distasteful, or her inquiries too pointed, he added, "Do you know what love is, Mona, and have you never had a lover among the young fishermen here?"
"T have read about it," she answered with perfect sincerity, and smiling at her own thought, "but I've never had much for any of the boys I've known; they smell too fishy."
This time Winn laughed heartily. "And is your nose the by-road to your heart?" he asked.
"It may be," she replied, also laughing, "if I have one."