"Why do you say that?"
"Because I know."
"How do you know?"
"I am thirty years of age, and I have kept my eyes open during these last ten years—that's all. You talk about my religious views and my ideas on marriage, and what you call my cynicism generally. But let the best of the women believe that a man will give them the position they covet and then he can believe what he likes and do what he likes. No, my dear, pious friends, you need not fear either about me or my future as long as you believe in your views about what is called my abilities."
"That's a libel on women," said Sprague.
"I'm willing to put my views to a test," replied Leicester.
"What do you mean?"
"My language is pretty plain," replied Leicester.
Each of the other men felt the influence of Leicester's stronger personality, and each of them resented it at the same time. They felt almost angry that the man whom they had been pitying as a drunkard should so coolly hold them at bay.
"It is a poor thing to say you'll put your views to the test, when you know it cannot be done," remarked Sprague.