Sherrod had already dropped four lumps into his coffee and was now adding another.
"I saw her last night. Why?"
"'Gad, you're pretty regular, aren't you?" said Converse, bitter in spite of himself.
"It strikes me you are talking rather queerly."
"I presume I am. You'll forgive me, though, when I remind you that I care a great deal for her. It rather hurts to have her forget me entirely," said the poor fellow.
"Come, come, old man, you're losing your nerve," cried Jud, his eye brightening. "I'm sure you can win if you'll only have heart."
"Win! You know better than that. If you don't know it, I'll tell you something. She's desperately in love with another man at this very minute."
"What?" ejaculated Jud. "Miss Wood in love with—with—another man? Why—why—I've not seen her pay any especial attention to any one."
"You must be blind, then. There's only one man in the world she cares to see any more, or cares to have near her."
"Good heavens, no! I never suspected—by George, Doug, surely you're dreaming!" He could not understand a certain jealousy that came to him.