"It's here in your hand," said Vivi, shocked at the discovery. "Women will play very little part in your life. It's not that you haven't a lot to give, you have. See this bump, that's affection. It's very developed."
"That's where I threw my thumb out of joint," said Skippy doubtfully.
"But you've had a terrible experience in your life that has shaken your faith and you are afraid to trust again." Skippy looked the picture of gloom at this and thought bitterly on Mimi Lafontaine after hesitating once or twice on the backward journey. "This has made you cynical and cold, ready to impute the lowest motives. Women will love you—many women, but you will give your heart only once more—and that—that will be a tragedy, on account of your own lack of faith."
"Say, is all that there?" said Skippy, beginning to be alarmed.
"That and more," said Vivi, warming up. "You are very loyal, not at all conceited, brilliant intellectual qualities and you will make a success—" Here Vivi paused and turned his hand over, studying it carefully. "I see railroads and banking in your hand."
"Do you think so?" said Skippy unconvinced.
"There it is. You will make loads and loads of money."
"I say, do I get married?"
"That is not quite clear," said Vivi frowning. "This looks like it—but again this line—the cold calculating streak in your nature—"
At this moment, from down the beach, came a shrill whistle imitative of the whip-poor-will, insistent, querulous and repeated.