"Yes, yes, I know; and I do, Helen, of course." Burke got to his feet and took a nervous turn about the tiny room.
Helen watched him with widening eyes. The look of indolent satisfaction was gone from her face. She was not yawning now.
"Why, Burke, what is the matter?" she catechized. "Wasn't I nice to him? Didn't I talk to him, and just lay myself out to entertain him? Didn't I ask him to dinner, and—"
"Dinner!" Burke fairly snarled the word out as he wheeled sharply. "Holy smoke, Helen! I wonder if you think I'd have that man come here to dinner, or come here ever again to hear you— Oh, hang it all, what am I saying?" he broke off, jerking himself about with a despairing gesture.
Helen came now to her feet. Her eyes blazed.
"I know. You was ashamed of me," she panted.
"Oh, come, come; nonsense, Helen!"
"You was."
"Of course I wasn't."
"Then what was the matter?"