"I have studied medicine, and--"
"For twelve months, and what you call study, I call pursuit of pleasure. You are wasting your life, and there is no one to stand between you and ruin, but me. I dare not tell Uncle Henry what Dr. Jerce reported to me, as his health is too delicate to stand shocks."
"You can tell him what you like," mumbled Ferdy, knowing very well that he was safe in giving the permission.
"I shall tell him nothing, but," added Clarice, with emphasis, "I'll tell Prudence, if you don't mend."
Ferdy clenched his hands and his eyes flashed.
"Prudence won't believe one word of what you say," he declared, angrily. "She loves me, as I love her, and--"
"Do you love her?" asked Clarice, sharply, and Ferdinand recoiled before the look in her eyes. "Dr. Jerce--"
"What has he dared to say?"
"Nothing more than what I have told you," said the girl, "but no man who is behaving as you are, can possibly love a woman truly."
"Oh, bother, leave these sort of things alone. You are a girl, and you don't understand. As to Jerce, he has his own secrets."