cowardly and bad taste and everything else you can think of to speak of
it, even to you. One's supposed to stand this sort of roasting at the
stake with a grin, as if one enjoyed it. But, after all, you are
different. It's not as if it was any one. You are different,
aren't you?'
'Sure.'
'Well, you know what's wrong as well as I do.'
'Surest thing you know. It's hit me, too.'
'How's that?'
'Well, things ain't the same. That's about what it comes to.'
Kirk stopped and looked at him. His expression was wistful. 'I ought
not to be talking about it.'
'You go right ahead, squire,' said Steve soothingly. 'I know just how
you feel, and I guess talking's not going to do any harm. Act as if I
wasn't here. Look on it as a monologue. I don't amount to anything.'
'When did you go to the house last, Steve?'
Steve reflected.
'About a couple of weeks ago, I reckon.'
'See the kid?'
Steve shook his head.
'Seeing his nibs ain't my long suit these days. I may be wrong, but I
got the idea there was a dead-line for me about three blocks away from
the nursery. I asked Keggs was the coast clear, but he said the Porter
dame was in the ring, so I kind of thought I'd better away. I don't
seem to fit in with all them white tiles and thermometers.'
'You used to see him every day when we were here. And you didn't seem
to contaminate him, as far as any one could notice.'
There was a silence.
'Do you see him often, colonel?'
Kirk laughed.
'Oh, yes. I'm favoured. I pay a state visit every day. Think of that! I
sit in a chair at the other end of the room while Mrs. Porter stands
between to see that I don't start anything. Bill plays with his
sterilized bricks. Occasionally he and I exchange a few civil words.
It's as jolly and sociable as you could want. We have great times.'
'Say, on the level, I wonder you stand for it.'
'I've got to stand for it.'
'He's your kid.'
'Not exclusively. I have a partner, Steve.'
Steve snorted dolefully.
'Ain't it hell the way things break loose in this world!' he sighed.
'Who'd have thought two years ago......'
'Do you make it only two? I should have put it at about two thousand.'
'Honest, squire, if any one had told me then that Miss Ruth had it in
her to take up with all these fool stunts......'
'Well, I can't say I was prepared for it.'
Steve coughed again. Kirk was in an expansive mood this afternoon, and
the occasion was ideal for the putting forward of certain views which
he had long wished to impart. But, on the other hand, the subject was a
peculiarly delicate one. It has been well said that it is better for a
