"I don't see why you should be. I've said nothing one way or the other."
She laughed gayly. "You can't tempt me. I'm really cured. I think the only reason I had the attack was because Mr. Tetlow so evidently believed he was speaking the truth."
"No doubt he did think he was. I'm sure, in the same circumstances, I'd think of anyone else just what he thinks of me."
"Then why do you do it, Fred?" urged she with ill-concealed eagerness. "It isn't fair to the girl, is it?"
"No one but you and Tetlow knows I'm doing it."
"You're mistaken there, dear. Tetlow says a great many people down town are talking about it—that they say you go almost every day to Jersey City to see her. He accuses you of having ruined her reputation. He says she is quite innocent. He blames the whole thing upon you."
Norman, standing with arms folded upon his broad chest, was gazing thoughtfully into the fire.
"You don't mind my telling you these things?" she said anxiously. "Of course, I know they are lies——"
"So everyone is talking about it," interrupted he, so absorbed that he had not heard her.
"You don't realize how conspicuous you are."