Barry made no answer, but looked at Welty with becoming deference.
The football man's eyes were wandering about the café, showing him to be indifferent to the theme of discussion.
“I know,” continued Welty, “that many more or less writers have said, as you say, that women must be sought and pursued to be won. They deduce that theory from the habits of lower animals and of barbarous nations, in which the man obtains the woman by chase and force. But it's all a theory, and simply shows that the learned writers study their books instead of their fellow men and women.”
The collegian looked restless, as if the conversation had gotten beyond his depth.
Barry remained silent, and with a flattering aspect of great interest in Welty's observations.
“Now,” went on Welty, striking the table with the bottom of his glass, “I've had a little experience of this sort of thing in my time, and I can say that in nine cases out of ten, once you've attracted the attention of your game, let it alone and it will chase you. That's how to win women.”
The collegian looked bored.
“Just to illustrate,” said Welty, “I'll tell of a little conquest of my own. I use it because it is the first that comes to my mind, not that I'm given to bragging about my success in these matters. I suppose you've seen the opera at the —— Theatre?”
The collegian ceased looking bored. Barry McGettigan sat perfectly, unnaturally still.
“And,” pursued Welty, “you've doubtless noticed the three girls who appear as the queen's maids of honour?”