“Why, we were quite lost without her, at breakfast. I couldn't have imagined her taking such a hold upon us all, in so short a time. But she's a pretty creature, and as good as she's pretty.”
“I remember agreeing with you on those points before.” Staniford feigned to suppress fatigue.
Dunham observed him. “I know you don't take so much interest in her as—as the rest of us do, and I wish you did. You don't know what a lovely nature she is.”
“No?”
“No; and I'm sure you'd like her.”
“Is it important that I should like her? Don't let your enthusiasm for the sex carry you beyond bounds, Dunham.”
“No, no. Not important, but very pleasant. And I think acquaintance with such a girl would give you some new ideas of women.”
“Oh, my old ones are good enough. Look here, Dunham,” said Staniford, sharply, “what are you after?”
“What makes you think I'm after anything?”
“Because you're not a humbug, and because I am. My depraved spirit instantly recognized the dawning duplicity of yours. But you'd better be honest. You can't make the other thing work. What do you want?”