"So have I," I said coldly.

He paid no heed to my remark, but began
to do rapid finger-exercises on his shirt-sleeves,
as he stood with tightly folded arms.

"Kindness of heart," he went on, staring
at the ceiling, "sentiment, are not under-
stood in a place like this. The noblest quali-
ties are ridiculed. Grinning college boys,
ignorant and conceited, what do they know
of delicacy!"

I controlled my features and tried to speak
seriously.

"If you mean me, Mr. Ordinsky, I have
known Miss Lingard a long time, and I think
I appreciate her kindness. We come from the
same town, and we grew up together."

His gaze traveled slowly down from the
ceiling and rested on me. "Am I to under-
stand that you have this young woman's
interests at heart? That you do not wish to
compromise her?"

"That's a word we don't use much here,
Mr. Ordinsky. A girl who makes her own
living can ask a college boy to supper without
being talked about. We take some things
for granted."

"Then I have misjudged you, and I ask

[[324]]

p323 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p324w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p325

v?