"And that's what I've been doing lately? You, of course, concluded
that after conducting myself in an examplary fashion an astonishing
time it was a trifling lapse?"
"Well," said Dane dryly, "as I admitted, it appeared somewhat out of
your usual line, but when I heard that a man from the settlement had
been ejected with violence from your homestead, what could one believe?"
"Colonel Barrington told you that!"
"No," said Dane, "you know he didn't. Still, he had a hired man riding
a horse he'd bought, and I believe--though it is not my affair--Maud
Barrington was there. Now, of course, one feels diffident about
anything that may appear like preaching, but you see, a good many of us
are following you, and I wouldn't like you to have many little lapses
of that kind while I'm backing you. You and I have done with these
frivolities some time ago, but there are lads here they might appeal
to. I should be pleased if you could deny the story."
Winston's face was grim. "I'm afraid it would not suit me to do as
much just now," he said. "Still, between you and I, do you believe it
likely that I would fly at that kind of game?"
Dane laughed softly. "Well," he said, "tastes differ, and the girl is
pretty, while you know, after all, they're very much the same. We
have, however, got to look at the thing sensibly, and you admit you
can't deny it."
"I told you it wouldn't suit me."
"Then there is a difference?"
Winston nodded.
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