Wilfred, feeling shamefaced before this hard-eyed young stranger, grinned and said: “Well, love.”
Taswell’s eyes bolted again. They all felt inclined to blush.
“Now he’s off on his favorite rocking-horse,” said Stanny.
Laughter relieved the strain.
Taswell’s laughter was brief. “Well, if you ask me,” he said harshly, “love leads you into the blackest hole of them all!”
Neither of the other two looked at him.
“I don’t mean the love of women,” said Wilfred, diffidently.
“He means general love,” said Stanny. “I know all this by heart.”
“I never could get that idea,” said Taswell. “Sounds weak . . . scattered to me. I can’t love everybody. I don’t want to.”
“Well, say understanding,” amended Wilfred. “If I had been Christ I would have put it: ‘Know ye one another!’ ”