He nodded.
"Perhaps," I added carelessly, "I had better saunter down that way."
"No," he said, "you'd better not."
"Why?" I asked sharply.
"Starlight and Thusis might go to a young man's head."
"I'm no longer in love," said I in the most solemn tones I had ever used. "I am now able to contemplate Thusis without the stormy emotions which once assailed me, Smith. All that is over. To me she is merely an interesting and rather pathetic woman. I feel kindly toward Thusis. I wish her well. I would willingly do anything I could to——"
"Piffle."
"What the devil do you mean by that?" I demanded.
"What the devil do you mean by kidding yourself?"
"Haven't I just explained?"