I do. I'm that kind. I'd die of a broken heart if I had to sit
still. It's the game."

"Did mother know?"

"Yes."

With the toe of a snug little bronze boot Kitty drew an outline round a
pattern in the rug.

"Love is a funny thing," was her comment.

"It sure is, old-timer. But what put the thought into your head?"

"I was thinking how very much mumsy must have been in love with father."

"But she never knew that I loved her, Kitty."

"What's that got to do with it? If she had wanted money you wouldn't
have had the least chance in the world."

"Probably not! But what would you have done in your mother's place?"

"Snapped you up like that!" Kitty flashed back.

"You cheerful little--little--"

"Liar. Say it!" Kitty laughed. "But am I a cheerful little liar? I don't
know. It would be an awful temptation. Somebody to wait on you; heaps of
flowers when you wanted them; beautiful gowns and thingummies and furs
and limousines. I've often wondered what I should do if I found myself
with love and youth on one side and money and attraction on the other.
I've always been in straitened circumstances. I never spent a dollar in
all my days when I didn't think I ought to have held back three or
four cents of it. You can't know, Cutty, what it is to be poor and want
beautiful things and good times. Of course. I couldn't marry just
money. There would have to be some kind of a man to go with it. Someone
interesting enough to make me forget sometimes that I'd thrown away a
lover for a pocket-book."

"Would you marry me, Kitty?"

"Are you serious?"

"Let's suppose I am."

"No. I couldn't marry you, Cutty I should always be having my mother's
ghost as a rival."

"But supposing I fell in love with you?"

"Then I'd always be doubting your constancy. But what queer talk!"'

"Kitty, you're a joy! Lordy, my luck in dropping in to see you
yesterday!"

"And a little whippersnapper like me calling a great man like you
Cutty!"

"Well, if it embarrasses you, you might switch to papa once in a while."

Kitty's laughter rang down the corridor. "I'll remember that whenever I
want to make you mad. Who's here?"

"Nobody but Harrison and the nurse. Both good citizens, and I've taken
them into my confidence to a certain extent. You can talk freely before
them."

"Am I to see the patient?"

"Harrison says not. About Wednesday your Two-Hawks will be sitting up.
I've determined to keep the poor devil here until he can take ca