But Ventnor's down and out, and God alone knows for how long.

And Ruth--has all the trouble we have and some special ones of her own.

I've an idea"-- he hesitated--"an idea that there was no exaggeration in that story she told--an idea that if anything she underplayed it." "I, too," I replied somberly.

"And to me it is the most hideous phase of this whole situation--and for reasons not all connected with Ruth," I added.
"Hideous!" he repeated.

"Unthinkable--yet all this is unthinkable.
And still--it is! And Ventnor--coming back--that way.