“No. To think ... other girls ...” She could not speak distinctly.
“Other girls?” Keith appeared astonished. “Do you really believe ...” He too paused. “No other girls come on this yacht to see me. I’ve known other girls. I’ve made love to other girls—what man hasn’t? You don’t get to my age without ...”
“Without what?” Jenny asked coolly.
“I’m not pretending anything to you. I’m thirty and a bit over. A man doesn’t get to my age...No man does, without having been made a fool of.”
“Oh, I don’t mind that,” Jenny said sharply. “It’s the girls you’ve fooled.”
“Don’t you believe it, Jenny. They’ve always been wiser than me. Say they’ve known a bit more. You’re different ...” Jenny shook her head, sighing.
“I bet they’ve all been that,” she slowly said. “Till the next one.” The old unhappiness had returned, gripping her heart. She no longer looked at him, but stared away, straight in front of her.
“Well, what if they had all been different?” Keith persisted. “Supposing I were to tell you about them, each one.... There’s no time for it, Jenny. You’ll have to take my word for it. You’ll do that if you want to. If you want to believe in me. Do you?”
“Of course I do!” Jenny blazed. “I can’t! Be different if I was at home. But I’m here, and you knew I’d come. D’you see what I mean?”
“You’re not in a trap, old girl,” said Keith. “You can go home this minute if you think you are.” His colour also rose. “You make too much fuss. You want me to tell you good fat lies to save your face. Don’t be a juggins, Jenny! Show your spirit! Jenny!”