“Then I am sure there is nothing wrong with it since it doesn't exist.”
“It does exist and is most unsavory!”
“Well, even an unsavory reputation is a decided improvement on no reputation at all.”
“I don't think——” Katherine began.
“I am glad you don't, Kate; it was never intended you should,” Philip made haste to say.
At this point Florence took up the cudgels against Philip:
“I should think you would have been ashamed to let people see you with him—he's simply horrid!”
“I wasn't seen with him, so don't distress your conscience with the idea that I was.”
“No thanks to you that you weren't,” said Katherine.
“Your penetration does you credit, Kate. I don't happen to possess your inordinate respect for appearances.” He was waiting to make a telling retort. This always stimulated him.