``Victor was telling me this morning about his talk with you,''
she said in her rapid, energetic way. ``He was depressed because
he had failed. But I felt sure-- I feel sure--that he hasn't.
In our talk the other day, Mr. Hull, I got a clear idea of your
character. A woman understands better. And I know that, after
Victor told you the plain truth about the situation, you couldn't
go on.''
David looked round rather wildly, swallowed hard several times,
said hoarsely: ``I won't, if you'll marry me.''
But for a slight change of expression or of color Davy would have
thought she had not heard--or perhaps that he had imagined he was
uttering the words that forced themselves to his lips in spite of
his efforts to suppress them. For she went on in the same
impetuous, friendly way:
``It seemed to me that you have an instinct for the right that's
unusual in men of your class. At least, I think it's unusual. I
confess I've not known any man of your class except you--and I
know you very slightly. It was I that persuaded Victor to go to
you. He believes that a man's class feeling controls him-- makes
his moral sense--compels his actions. But I thought you were an
exception--and he yielded after I urged him a while.''
``I don't know WHAT I am,'' said Hull gloomily. ``I think I want
to do right. But--what is right? Not theoretical right, but the
practical, workable thing?''
``That's true,'' conceded Selma.
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