Merian broke out indignantly—
"I say, Lathrop—why should you try and play up to that cynic there? As if he ever had an illusion about anything!"
"Well, but one may have faith without illusions," protested Blaydes, with hard good temper.
"I doubt whether Lathrop has an ounce of either!"
Lathrop reached out for a match.
"What's the good of 'faith'—and what does anyone mean by it?
Sympathies—and animosities: they're enough for me."
"And you really are in sympathy with these women?" said the other.
The tone was incredulous. Merian brought his hand violently down on the table.
"Don't you talk about them, Blaydes! I tell you, they're out of your ken."
"I daresay," said Blaydes, composedly. "I was only trying to get at what Lathrop means by going into the business."