“I sympathize with your annoyance, but you’re not just. You see, I took nothing he wanted from Kit. All I got he, in a sense, had already refused. Although he’s Jasper’s nephew, he made it plain that he would sooner his uncle left him alone.”
“Perhaps that is so, Kit is independent,” Evelyn admitted.
“Very well! I’m not independent; for one thing I’m not rich and for me to refuse a useful occupation and first-class pay was ridiculous. Since Kit had gone off to Canada and joined his uncle’s competitors, I seized the opportunity he rather scornfully neglected.”
Evelyn’s color got high and her look was hard, but it was not because Ledward offended her. After all, Harry was logical, and Kit was not. He was not rich and he ought to have cultivated his relation, but he indulged his romantic pride. Then, when he began to make progress, he again gave up his post. In fact, Kit did not think for her. Ledward saw her pre-occupation and knew he had struck the proper note.
“We mustn’t dispute about it and I like your championing Kit,” he resumed.
“Ah,” said Evelyn moodily, “perhaps Kit needs a champion!”
Ledward let it go, and for a few minutes they talked about something else. Then Mrs. Haigh and Mrs. Carson arrived.
“We must start, and I rather think you ought to go with us,” Mrs. Haigh said to Evelyn.
“Clara expects me, and I can get a cab.”
Ledward thought Mrs. Haigh hesitated, and he saw his opportunity.