She was further aware that, since all was over for Franklin, she owed him something.

She owed it to him at least to make clear to Helen that she didn't place him with Miss Buckston.
'Yes,' she said, 'Franklin is funny in his way.

He is very quaint and original and simple; but he is a dear, too, you know.' Helen did not open her eyes.

'I'm sure he is,' she acquiesced.

Her placid acceptance of whatever interpretation of Mr.Kane Althea should choose to set before her, made Althea still angrier--with herself and with Helen.
'He is quite a noted scientist,' she went on, keeping her voice smooth, 'and has a very interesting new theory about atoms that's exciting a good deal of attention.' Her voice was too successful; Helen still suspected nothing.