“But it will be a part. We’ll carry you--not like an extra, you see----” Betsy rose, went over to a little desk, wrote her address and brought it to Eris. “You do forgive me for coming in to see you this crazy way, don’t you?” “Oh, yes--yes, I do----” Suddenly the grey eyes flashed tears. “You sweet child!” said Betsy Blythe, stooping over her. “You’re nice. A woman can tell, no matter what a pig of a man might think. I like you, Eris. I _want_ you to get on. I’d love to have you make good some day.” She added naïvely: “--If only to put Barry Annan’s nose out of joint.” Eris had covered her wet lashes with her fore-arm. Now she removed it. “Mr. Annan has been wonderful,” she said in a tear-congested voice. “Three cheers!” said Betsy, laughing. “You’re a loyal youngster, aren’t you? Everybody likes Barry Annan. Several love him. But _you_ mustn’t,” she added with a gravity that deceived Eris. “Oh, no,” she said hurriedly, “I wouldn’t think of such a thing.” At that Betsy’s clear laughter rang out in the room. Eris blushed furiously; then, suddenly and swiftly _en rapport_, laughed too. “He’s so nice and so spoiled,” said Betsy. “That bland grin of his!--and he _is_ clever--oh, very. He knows how to make your heart jump when he writes. In private character he’s kind but mischievous. He’ll experiment with a girl if she’ll let him. It interests him to try cause and effect on us. Don’t _you_ let him. He has that terrible talent for swift intimacy. That caressing courtesy, that engaging and direct interest he seems to take in whoever he is with, means no more than a natural and kindly consideration for everybody. It misleads some women. I don’t mean _he_ does, intentionally. Only any man, seeing a pretty girl inclined to be flattered, is likely to investigate further. I don’t blame him. We do it, too, don’t we?” “I never did,” said Eris naïvely. Betsy’s smile faded and she gave Eris a sharp look. Then, abruptly, she took both her hands and sat regarding her. “I’ll tell you something,” she concluded, finally. “Men won’t fool you: you’ll fool them.” “I shan’t try to,” said Eris. “That’s how you’ll do it.... You’re unusual; do you realize it? What is it that interests you most?” “I want to learn.” “I thought so. I’ve known one or two girls like you. Pretty ones.... Almost as pretty as you, Eris. They raise the devil with men.” “How?” asked Eris, astonished. “Merely by being what they are,--absolutely normal under all conditions. Men are completely fooled. To a man, feminine youth and beauty mean a depthless capacity for sex sentiment. My dear, you have very little of that sort.... Or, if you have any, it’s the normal amount and is reserved for the great moment in life.” “What is the great moment in life?” asked Eris. “Love, I suppose.” “I do not think I shall have time for it,” said Eris, thoughtfully. “Good heavens!” exclaimed Betsy, laughing. “Don’t be unhuman!”