"I wish to talk with you, Larry," she replied without warmth, as she extended a limp hand, sparkling with jewels.
"It is good to see you, Helen," he exclaimed, a bit crestfallen because of her manner. "What brings you East? I was nearly bowled over when I saw you to-day. I thought you did not know me, but I see you did."
"Surely you did not expect me to bow to you there," she responded. "Did you desire all those people to know that I had acquaintances in that—that class?"
"Then you chose to cut me deliberately?" he asked.
"Don't be foolish, Larry," she replied. "A girl must think of herself and I did not choose to have my companions learn that I was acquainted with persons in that—profession, do you call it?"
"Well, if you are ashamed of my profession"—he said hotly.
"Nonsense," she interrupted him. "I simply did not desire to have people see me speak to a person who earns his living sliding around in the dirt on his face. That is what I wanted to see you about. What new prank is this? Are you seeking notoriety?"
"I am earning my living," he said. "Baseball is the only thing I could do well enough to make money."
"Earn your living?" The girl's surprise was sincere. "You haven't broken with your Uncle Jim, have you?"
The girl's eyes grew wider with surprise, and her tone indicated consternation.