"Because," said Mr. Wycherly haughtily, "I should dislike it extremely."
Curly laughed.
"I have an idea," he said, "that Miss Allegra Stavrides will find another mode of expressing the artist that is in her."
Mr. Wycherly groaned again. "She is so young," he said; "why should she be anything at all for years and years?"
"Because," said Curly, "the race is to the swift, and the child is very fleet of foot."
"You will not, promise me you will not, say or do anything to put such an idea into her head," Mr. Wycherly pleaded.
"My dear old friend, the idea has been there for years—and it is quite possible it may come to nothing."
But though Curly spake comfortable words there was no conviction in his voice.
CHAPTER XVIII
GANTRY BILL