104
FLAMING
YOUTH
tendance, only to be reminded by that untamed virgin that they were not yet engaged, and that, even if they were, it was by no means certain that she would meekly
take orders from him.
She spoke with unrufiied good
humour. Mr. James had departed in great ill humour. “TI like Jimmy when he’s furious,” remarked Dee. “He’s so much more human.” “You'll lose him yet,” warned Constance. “Who’s your partner for the tennis?” “Paul de Severin was to have been but he’s held up in Washington. I thought I’d borrow Cary Scott if you don’t mind.” “Why should I mind?” returned the other moodily. “Fle isn’t my property.” “Had a scrap?” “No.”
Constance brooded
for a moment,
then made
one of those disclosures characteristic of the peculiarly frank relations existing between all three of the sisters. “Dee, Freddie’s been borrowing money from Cary.” Dee whirled and stared. “The devil!” she ejaculated. ““Fe’ll never pay it back.” “I don’t suppose Cary expects it back.”
- “What does he expect, then?”
“I don’t know,” answered Constance slowly. “Humph! Ido. Are you going to pay, Connie?” “If I did pay—that way—would I be half as rotten as Freddie?” demanded the wife savagely. “That depends. Are you in love with Cary?” “I don’t know,” muttered the beauty. “I thought I was. ‘Then I found out about Freddie and it sickened me so that I don’t know where I stand.” Dee ruminated.
“Perhaps
He’s no fool.” “He's a drunkard.
that’s why Freddie did it,
That’s worse.”
