Amy gave a nod of agreement. Yet why this critical zeal? There was but one man to like, after all. "That make-up! That low-cut gown!" said George, in further condemnation. "There's such a thing as going too far." Basil Randolph met Cope in the back lobby at the close of the performance. The dramatic season in the city itself had begun to languish; besides that, Randolph, in order to maintain his place on the edge of the life academical, always made it a point to remember the Grayfriars each spring. "A very thorough, consistent piece of work--your friend's," said Randolph. He spoke in a firm, net, withholding tone, looking Cope full in the face, meanwhile. What he said was little, perhaps, of what was in his mind; yet Cope caught a note of criticism and of condemnation. "Yes," he almost felt constrained to say in reply, "yes, I know what you did for him--for me, rather; and possibly this is not the outcome foreseen. I hope you won't regret your aid." Randolph went past him placidly. He seemed to have little to regret. On the contrary, he almost appeared to be pleased. He may have felt that Lemoyne had shown himself in a tolerably clear light, and that it was for Cope, should he choose, to take heed. Two days later, Randolph gave his impression of the performance to Foster. "It's just what I should have expected," declared the cripple acrimoniously. "I'm glad you never had any taste for the fellow; and I should have been quite as well pleased if I hadn't found you caring for the other." Randolph took refuge in a bland inexpressiveness. There was no need to school his face: he had only to discipline his voice. "Oh, well," he said smoothly, "it's only a passing _amitié_--something soon to be over, perhaps." He used an alien word because he could not select, on the instant, from his stock of English, the word he needed, and because he was not quite sure what idea he wanted to express. "I only wish," he went on, in the same even tone, "that this chap had been doing better by his work. At one early stage of the rehearsals there was a lot of registration and fee-paying for the new term. Well, if he hasn't been satisfactory, they needn't blame me. Let them blame the system that diverts so much time and attention to interests quite outside the regular curriculum." "You talk like a book!" said Foster, with blunt disdain. "Language----" began Randolph. "----was made to conceal thought," completed the other. "Stop talking. Stop thinking. Or, if you must think, just get your thoughts back on your business."