“I was going to talk to you about something else,” he said, “but this is hardly the time. I'll get on home.” He rose. “She'll be all right. Only I'd advise very tactful handling and—the fullest explanation you can make.”
“What is it? I'd be glad to have something to keep my mind occupied. It's eating itself up just now.”
“It's a personal matter.”
Ward glanced up at him quickly.
“Yes?”
“Have you happened to hear a story that I believe is going round? One that concerns me?”
“Well, I have,” Leslie admitted. “I didn't pay much attention. Nobody is taking it very seriously.”
“That's not the point,” Dick persisted. “I don't mind idle gossip. I don't give a damn about it. It's the statement itself.”
“I should say that you are the only person who knows anything about it.”
Dick made a restless, impatient gesture.