ll, you're different from other men. Yes, from every other
man I've ever met."

"Am I to take that as praise?"

He nodded, his big eyes sending blue rays into mine.

"Thanks. Best man you ever met?"

Another nod, and more colour in his cheeks.

"Good enough to be introduced to your sister?"

"Good enough--even for that."

"What if I should fall in love with her?"

The Boy straightened his shoulders, after a slight start of surprise,
and seemed to pull himself together. For a moment he was silent, as we
walked on under the close-growing plane trees which lined the long,
straight road to the Grand Port. Then at last he said, "You wouldn't."

"How can you tell that?"

"Because--she isn't--your style."

"You don't know my 'style' of girl."

"Oh, yes, I do. Don't you remember a talk we had, the first day we
were friends? We told each other a lot of things. I can see that girl;
the girl who--who----"

"Jilted me," I supplied. "Don't hesitate to call a spade a spade."

"A lovely, angelic-looking creature, typically English; golden hair;
skin like cream and roses."

"The type has palled upon me," said I. "I know now that Molly
Winston--my friend's wife--was right. I never really loved that girl.
It was her popularity and my own vanity that I was in love with."

"Are you sure?"

"As sure as that I'm starving for my breakfast. If the young
lady--she's married now, and I wish her all happiness--should appear
before me at the end of this street, and sob out a confession of
repentance for the past, it wouldn't in the least affect my appetite.
I should tell her not to mind, and hurry on to join you at the
corner."

"You would have forgotten by that time that there was a Me."

"I can't think of anyone or anything at the moment which would make
me forget that," said I.

"The Contessa?"

"Not she, nor any other pretty doll."

"An earthquake, then?"

"Nor an earthquake: for I should probably occupy myself in trying to
save your life. To tell the honest truth, Little Pal, you've become a
confirmed habit with me, and I confess that the thought of finishing
this tramp without you gave me a distinct shock, when you flung it at
my head. If you were open to the idea of adoption, I think I should
have to adopt you, you know: for, now that I've got used to seeing you
about, it seems to me that, as certain advertisements say of the
articles they recommend, no home would be complete without you. But
there's your sis