"She is a caution. It's quite enough to make you and Hanson lump me with Letheby and that lot."
This touched Jewdwine in two sensitive places at once. He objected to being "lumped" with Hanson. He also felt that his generosity had been called in question. For a moment the truth that was in him looked out of his grave and earnest eyes.
"I do not lump you with Letheby or anybody. On the contrary, I think you stand by yourself. Quite one half of this book is great poetry."
"You really think that?"
"Yes," said Jewdwine solemnly; "I do think it. That's why I deplore the appearance of the other half. But if you had to publish, why couldn't you bring out your Helen in Leuce? It was far finer than anything you have here."
"Yes. Helen's all right now." His tone implied only too plainly that she was not all right when Jewdwine had approved of her.
"Now? What on earth have you been doing to her?"
"Only putting a little life into her limbs. But Vaughan wouldn't have her at any price."
"My dear Rickman, you should have come to me. I hope to goodness Vaughan won't tempt you into any more Saturnalia."
"After all—what's wrong with them?"