“Wasn’t that what you meant?” he repeated, and just for a second the smile crept beyond the eyes.
“Yes. It’s useless to lie.”
“—To me?”
This time Randall’s face flamed undeniably.
“Yes—to you,” he admitted. “You’re positively uncanny.”
“Don’t do it then,” shortly, “ever. To answer your question: The main reason, I think, is because to-day is December the sixth—a holiday.”
“A holiday!” Randall stared, as in the morning Herbert had stared.
“With me.... Another reason is that I’ve been an under dog myself for a very long time and—perhaps, though, I am mistaken.”
“No, I’m one of the breed unquestionably.”
“And under dogs have a fondness for each other instinctively.” 214