WISDOM SET AT NAUGHT
standingly upon Carron. "He's a good boy to her, fetches and carries, when he isn't sitting around some store, reading the socialistic weeklies. And then, he's good-looking."
"Good-looking!" Was that her translation of the appearance of the knock-kneed male! Carron exclaimed in his soul over the ideas of women. "And you don't like him?"
"Well, of course, I can't admire Bert. He's rather weak. There are some things about him that are simply deplorable. He won't lift his finger to help his brother, would not even acknowledge him if I didn't make him."
"His brother?"
"Yes, you know, George."
"Good Lord!"
"I forgot—you feel that way too. But still, if he was your brother, you know you would look out for him. It seems cruel. It is because Bert is ashamed of it, and so terribly afraid of what people will think. As if that mattered. But, in a way, I'm fond of Bert. I've known him so long and so well; and he is very loyal."
Carron looked at her with compunction, with silent pity. She had known the fellow so long, eight years! And this was her idea of him. Did she suppose that weakness and loyalty ever went together?
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