Steve breathed a deep sigh. He shook his head. Then, with an impulsive movement, he thrust out one powerful hand.
Just for one moment the two men gripped in silence.
"I'll fix it with Nita," Steve said, as their hands fell apart.
"Yep. And Millie and the gals will go along over. She can't refuse them."
Steve flashed a sharply enquiring look into the other's eyes.
"Why should she want to?" he demanded.
The doctor suddenly realized the doubt he had implied. His own train of thought had found unconscious expression.
"There isn't a reason in the world," he protested, "except—she's a woman."
But his reply, for all its promptness, entirely missed its purpose. It failed completely to banish the trouble which had displaced the smile in Steve's eyes.
When Steve spoke his voice was low, and he seemed to be speaking to himself rather than to his companion.