You know I've decided that my message to the world would best take the substantial form of beef--a message which no one will esteem unpractical." He paused, noting the other's general droop of gloom.
"But what's the trouble, old chap?
You look done up!" "Bernal--it's all because I am too good-hearted, too unsuspecting.

Being slow to think evil of others, I foolishly assume that others will be equally charitable.

And you don't know what women are--you don't know how the sentimental ones impose upon a man in my office.

I give you my word of honour as a man--my word of _honour_, mind you!--there never has been a thing between us but the purest, the most elevated--the loftiest, most ideal--" "Hold on, old chap--I shall have to take the car ahead, you know, if you won't let me on this one...." "-- as pure a woman as God ever made, while as for myself, I think my integrity of purpose and honesty of character, my sense of loyalty should be sufficiently known--" "Say, old boy--" Bernal's face had lighted with a sudden flash of insight--"is it--I don't wish to be indiscreet--but is it anything about Mrs.Wyeth ?" "Then you _do_ know ?" "Nothing, except that Nance met me at the door just now and puzzled me a bit by her very curious manner of asking if I had been at the Wyeth's this afternoon." "_What_ ?" The other turned upon him, his eyes again blazing with the yellow points, his whole figure alert.

"She asked you _that--Really_ ?" "To be sure!" "And you said--" "'No'-- of course--and she mumbled something about having been foolish to think I could have been.