"That your book is really being held up because these men won't give it an imprimatur."
"Good Lord! I'm not one of their flock."
"No, but Althea is."
Paul flushed savagely, and muttered something I could not catch.
"Don't be too hard on her, Ingram. Probably her position's harder than either of us can conceive."
"Don't be afraid. There are about a hundred solid reasons why I couldn't be hard, even if I wanted to. Besides, I'm ceasing to care."
"Got the hump, in fact."
"Call it what you like. The book's become a scandal—a reproach. It's a relief not to see or hear of it. Once a certain point is reached a sense of humor comes to your rescue, and you cease to take a thing seriously. Something else is worrying me far more just now."
"What is it?"
"You'll only think me an old woman for my pains."