"You think, perhaps, I'm growing to be a shade too free and easy?"
"If you must know, I do."
"But this is, after all, Hollywood."
"No excuse for doing as the Hollywoodenheads do."
"Then, I take it, you think it might be more discreet of me to stop going about with you alone."
Since the same roof no longer sheltered them, the Lontaines had ceased invariably to include Lucinda in their plans and gaddings, as when social courtesies were extended them by people whom Lontaine met in the way of business and to whom Lucinda was not known at all. So she was enjoying some little time to herself, when Summerlad's attentions permitted; and when they didn't, felt free to follow her inclination and dispense with chaperonage on occasion, irrespective of the looks of the thing. (If anything could be held to have any particular "looks" where principles of laissez-faire and assiduous attention to one's own concerns were so generally vogue.) Linda Lee, furthermore, could do as she pleased when her pleasure must have been taboo to Mrs. Bellamy Druce.
"O Lord!" Summerlad groaned. "I might've known better than to start an argument with a woman."
"I don't relish being reproached by you for lack of decorum."
"Decorum! I'm only anxious you shan't get in with the wrong sort, be victimized or worse."
"Touching thoughtfulness on my behalf.... But Lynn: what do you mean by 'worse'?"