“What does it matter?”
“Out here, nothing. But elsewhere—well, it does define a man, doesn’t it?”
“Undoubtedly. I’ve never gone into it with him.”
“I wonder if I could guess why.”
“Very likely. You seem preternaturally acute in these matters.”
“Is it because the Sears-Roebuck mail-order double-bow knot in polka-dot pattern stands as a sign of pristine innocence?”
In spite of herself Miss Van Arsdale laughed. “Something of that sort.”
Io’s soft lips straightened. “It’s rotten bad form. Why shouldn’t he be right? It’s so easy. Just a hint—”
“From you?”
“From either of us. Yes; from me, if you like.”