"No?" His voice was queerly questioning. "Well, I want to say I think Mary a very slick little girl."
Cora could not mistake his intention. He wanted her to think that he believed Mary was not one of her set. By "slick" he probably meant to convey the idea that he considered the former milliner girl might be tricky.
"I am sorry Miss Downs is away," said Cora simply. "I intended to take her on a little run with me. She doesn't get many chances to go out in a car."
"No, I guess, not. But don't you think it—er—rather risky to take up with—shop girls?"
"Shop girls? Why, any girl is a lady, no matter what her position, as long as she conducts herself like one. What do you mean by your insinuations?"
She almost detested herself for asking him this question, but she could not help it.
Sid laughed.
"What have you to say against her character?" demanded Cora again.
Sid seemed a bit uneasy. He had hardly expected to be pinned down so directly.
"Oh, of course," he finally answered, "if you feel that way about it, I—er—I suppose—nothing. I only wished to caution you. That money matter is still in—er—well, let us say, in an awkward shape."