"Fitz? Not a rap."
"But—do you like him?"
"Oh, yes! He's a decent little sort."
"Well, just think what it would mean to him if he married you, and then—found out."
"Um!" said Miss Lottie thoughtfully.
"Besides," continued Pip, following up his advantage, "think of yourself."
"I usually do," said Lottie.
"Women were never meant for that low-down sort of game," said Pip, getting to the heart of his subject.
Suddenly Lottie blazed out.
"There you go! Women, women, women! I wonder if there was ever a man in this world that could treat a woman sensibly. Some men—most men—look upon women as fair game, and treat them accordingly. The others—men like you—look on them as little pot angels, and shudder when they show they are made of flesh and blood. Women are human beings, no better and no worse than men, only they don't get the chances men do, Jack. That's all—human beings! Remember that."