If you could, you'd have _kicked_ that miserable Bland Halliday when he came sneaking around--wanting money and a square meal, and you needn't deny it, Johnny.

But no, instead of taking the chance that's given you to make good, you turn up your nose at it because it isn't spectacular enough to keep you in the limelight as the original Boy Wonder! And you--you take that crook, that tramp, that--that _bum_ as a partner, and imagine you're going to do wonderful things and get rich and everything! And you won't do anything except give that tramp a chance to steal you blind!" "I didn't say I'd taken Bland as a partner.

But I may do it, at that--if my judgment approves of the deal." "Your judgment! Johnny Jewel, you haven't got any more judgment than a cat!" This was putting it rather strongly, since Mary V had fully intended to guard her tongue, being careful not to antagonize him.

That heady young man now stood glaring at her in a thoroughly antagonistic manner.
Speech trembled on his lips that would not formulate the scathing rebuke surging within his mind.

He had been called conceited, swell-headed, inconsiderate of others, and now this final insult was heaped upon the full measure of his wrongs, just when he had a clear vision of future achievements that should have dazzled any young woman whose life was to be linked with his.