"Don't say that, Billy!" Huntington protested with unusual vehemence.
"But you are," the boy insisted. "The last time I dined here with you and Mr. Cosden, before you went to Bermuda, I heard you tell him that many a married man who seemed contented was only resigned."
"That doesn't mean that I'm a 'woman-hater'; I won't stand for it! Be careful what you say!"
Billy looked at him in amazement. It was a rare thing to see his uncle ruffled.
"I beg your pardon, Uncle Monty," he apologized. "I didn't intend to bump any one's feelings. Truly I wasn't joshing at all,—I thought you meant it! But I'm glad you didn't, for now you'll be more sympathetic with me, and you can help me a lot."
"All right, boy," Huntington said soberly. "I know you didn't mean anything by what you said, but marriage is a mighty sacred thing and you ought not to speak lightly of it."
"How's Mr. Cosden?" Billy asked, eager to get the conversation onto safer grounds.
"Well and happy; he dined with me last week."
"Say, but he can ride a bicycle!—What did he have against me down at Bermuda?"
"He said you covered too much territory."