“Then, of course, she is extra specially nice, and seems to be more interested in him than anyone else.”
“Pleasant for him!”
“It is, for a time. But if he trusted to it and believed that she was really in earnest, he might get to care himself, and then, when he found out, he would be disappointed.”
“Naturally so.”
“It has happened like that before, several times, and sometimes there are other people to be considered—I mean there might be another girl whom the man had liked before, and when he had given her up, and found that-that—”
“That he had given up the substance and grasped the shadow—”
“Yes; then, of course, they would both be miserable, and it would be worse than ever.”
“Naturally it would be.”
He spoke in the same cool, half-jeering tone, then suddenly turned round and bent his head down to mine, staring at me with bright grey eyes.
“Why not be honest, Babs, and not beat about the bush? You think that my peace is threatened and want to warn me of it, isn’t that it, now? You are my very good friend, and I am grateful for your interest. Did you think I was in danger?”