Alpha Book

. . It must be interesting to go where men have such
jolly times--where men gather to talk that mysterious man-talk which we
so often wonder at--and pretend we are indifferent. But we are very
curious, nevertheless--even about the boys of Gerald's age--whom we
laugh at and torment; and we can't help wondering how they talk to each
other--what they say that is so interesting; for they somehow manage to
convey that impression to us--even against our will. . . . If you stay,
I shall never have done with chattering. When you sit there with one
lazy knee so leisurely draped over the other, and your eyes laughing at
me through your cigar-smoke, about a million ideas flash up in me which
I desire to discuss with you. . . . So you had better go."
"I am happier here," he said, watching her.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Then--then--am _I_, also, one of the 'good times' a man can have?--when
he is at liberty to reflect and choose as he idles over his coffee?"
"A man is fortunate if you permit that choice.


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