Dick drew away his hand suddenly.
"For heaven's sake, Tony, please don't tell me again that I'm just like Larry and Ted to you. It is bad enough to know it without your rubbing it in all the time. I can't stand it—not to-night."
"Dick!" Tony was startled, taken aback by his tone. Dick rarely let himself go like that.
In a moment he was all contrition.
"Forgive me, Tony. I'm sorry I said that. I ought to be thankful you care that much, and I am. It is dear of you and I do appreciate it."
"Oh me!" sighed Tony. "Everything I do or say is wrong. I wish I did care the other way for you, Dicky dear. Truly I do. It would be so much nicer and simpler than caring for Alan," she added naïvely.
"Life isn't fixed nice and simple, Tony. At least it never has been for me."
"Oh, Dick! Everything has been horribly hard for you always, and I'm making it harder. I don't want to, Dicky dear. You know I don't. It is just that I can't help it."
"I know, Tony. You mustn't bother about me. I'm all right. Will you tell me just one thing though? If you hadn't cared for Massey—no I won't put it like that. If you had cared for me would my not having any name have made any difference?"
"Of course it wouldn't have made any difference, Dicky. What does a name matter? You are you and that is what I would care for—do care for. The rest doesn't matter. Besides, you are making a name for yourself."