"Consideration for the feelings of another--particularly if she be somewhat helpless."
"Just a moment." They were entering the hall and he stopped her. "In what way are you helpless?"
"Through consideration on my part for my guest to-night, for my husband's friend, for a friend to whom we both owe much----"
"You owe that friend nothing. If you really think so, disabuse your mind. And I have never professed the slightest friendship for Mr. MacBirney. Whatever we do, let us keep the facts clear. If we speak of consideration, what about my feelings? And about helplessness--I am up against a stone wall all the time in trying to say anything."
"You have no right to say anything!" exclaimed Alice energetically and starting on as she spoke.
"Perhaps that is true. One that can't say things better than I do shouldn't attempt them. If one of us must be humiliated let it be me. Where are you taking me?"
She stopped. "Nowhere at all, Mr. Kimberly. Won't you----"
"Where are you going?"
"To look at my table. Mr. MacBirney will be right down. Won't you wait for him in the library?"
"No."