Part 32 (1/2)
In former days the two young men had been on terms of intimacy. Everett presumed now upon that friends.h.i.+p by speaking plainly:
”Are you going to keep them much longer?” he asked.
Horace allowed his lids to droop slowly, and looked meditatively at the end of his cigarette without replying.
”I have a reason for asking,” Everett added.
”And may I ask your reason?”
”Yes, I suppose so. The fact is, I'm rather interested in them myself. I thought--”
Horace lifted his eyes, and the man opposite noted that they had grown darker, that they sparkled angrily. Everett was desirous of satisfying himself whether Horace did, or did not, care for the young girl he was sheltering.
”They don't need your interest so far as a home is concerned,” Horace said at last.
Everett's face darkened as he mused:
”They're lowly born, and such people were made for our servants, and not our equals. If the women are pretty, they might act as playthings.”
Horace turned his eyes toward the speaker wrathfully. He wondered if he had understood correctly what was implied by the other's words.
”What did you say, Brimbecomb?”
Everett drew his left leg over his right knee deliberately.
”I think the girl pretty enough to make a capital toy for an hour,” said he.
Disbelief flooded Sh.e.l.lington's face.
”You're joking! You're making a jest of a sacred thing, Brimbecomb!”
Everett recalled former principles of the boy Horace, and a smile flickered on his lips.
”I can't concede that,” said he. ”I think with a great man of whom I read once. Deal honestly with men in business, was his maxim, keep a clean record with your fellow citizens; but, as far as strange women are concerned, treat them as you wish. It's a man's privilege to--to lie to them, in fact.”
Without looking up, Horace broke in:
”Ann has an excellent outlook for happiness, hasn't she?”
”We weren't talking about Ann,” snapped Everett. ”I was especially thinking of the girl in your home, who belongs leagues beneath where you have placed her. I won't have her there! I think my position is such that I can make certain demands on the family of the woman I'm going to marry.”
”To the devil with your position! I wouldn't give a d.a.m.n for it, and I'll take up your first question, Brimbecomb. You asked me how long I intended to keep those children. This is my answer! As long as they will stay, and longer if I can make them!” His voice rang vibrant with pa.s.sion. ”Don't let your position interfere with what I am doing; for, if you do, Ann, friends.h.i.+p, or anything won't deter me from--”
Brimbecomb rose to his feet and faced the other.
”Threats are not in order,” said he.
His deliberate speech made Horace turn upon him.
”I, too, intend to marry!” was his answer. ”I intend to marry--Fledra Cronk!”