“I’m honest anyway; and I’ll warrant that’s more than he can rise to.”
“But really, dear Alymer,” reverting again to the mocking tone, “at what period of your friendship with him have you had occasion to find him out?”
“Your sarcasm won’t frighten me. A man knows more about this sort of thing than a girl. Of course he is all right in an ordinary way, but you are so often with him… Considering his political career, it is positively unpatriotic of you to be such close friends.”
“Such nonsense! Do you want me to be as bigoted and narrow-minded as those Conservatives who are continually holding the party back, because they are quite incapable of realising there are two sides to a question? I don’t hold the same views as Sir Edwin at all. I’m not likely to, being on the staff of the Morning Mail; but that isn’t any reason why I should object to him as a friend.”
“No; but his reputation might be.”
Hal stamped her foot.
“Oh, don’t stand there and talk about a man’s reputation in that superior, self-satisfied fashion. What is it to you anyhow? My friendship can’t possibly be any concern of yours.”
She moved away with a restless, ruffled manner, and threw back at him:
“Of course I’m awfully grateful to you for being so interested in my welfare, but your concern is a little misplaced. I am quite capable of taking care of myself, and have been for at least seven years.”
He looked hurt, and about to retort, but at that moment Lorraine’s latch-key sounded in the door, and Hal went out into the hall to meet her.