Horace laughed.
"Really, I've been awfully busy since—"
"Since the coming of your wonderful charges!" finished Brimbecomb.
Horace scented a sneer. His ears grew hot with anger.
"Ann has done more than I," he explained; "although there is nothing I would not do."
"I can't understand it at all, old man! Pardon me if I seem dense, but it's almost an unheard-of thing for a fellow in your and Ann's positions to fill your home with—beggars." His voice was low, with an inquiring touch in it. Having gained no satisfaction from Miss Shellington, he was seeking information from Horace.
"We don't think of either one of them as beggars," interjected Horace. "Both Ann and I have grown very fond of them."
In former days the two young men had been on terms of intimacy. Everett presumed now upon that friendship by speaking plainly:
"Are you going to keep them much longer?" he asked.
Horace allowed his lids to droop slowly, and looked meditatively at the end of his cigarette without replying.