Stover withdrew from the conversation. He glanced at Jean Story, wondering if she had understood the reason of his return, and that he had spoken for her ears alone. She was still at the piano, one hand resting on the keyboard, looking at him with the same serious, half-troubled expression in her large eyes. He made an excuse to leave, and for the second that he stood by her, he looked into her eyes boldly, with even a little bravado, as though to ask: "Do you understand?" But the young girl, without speaking, nodded her head slightly, continuing to look at him with her wistful, a little wounded glance. CHAPTER XIX It was only a little after nine. He had left in the company of Joe Hungerford, who had ostensibly taken the opportunity of going with him. "I say, Dink," he began directly, in the blustering, full-mouthed way he had when excited, "I say bully for you. Lord, I liked to hear you talk out." "It's all simple enough," said Stover, surprised at the other's enthusiasm. "I suppose I wouldn't have said all I did if it hadn't been for Hunter." "Oh, Jim's a damned hard-shell from way back," said Hungerford good-humoredly, "never mind him. I say though, Dink, you really have been going round, haven't you, breaking through the lines?" "Yes, I have." "I wish you'd take me around with you some time," said Hungerford enviously. "Why the deuce don't you break in yourself?" "It doesn't come natural, Dink," said the inheritor of millions regretfully. "I never went through boarding-school like you fellows. By George, it's just what I want, what I hoped for here! and, damn it, what I'm not getting!" "You know, Joe," said Dink suddenly, "there wouldn't be any society problem if fellows that felt the way you and I do would assert themselves. By George, there's nothing wrong with the soph societies, the trouble is with us." "I'm not so sure," said Hungerford seriously. "Rats!" "You know, Dink," said Joe with a little hesitation, "it is not every one who understands you or what you're doing." "I know," said Stover, laughing confidently. "Some have got an idea I've got some great political scheme, working in with the outsiders to run for the Junior Prom, or something like that." "No, it's not all that. I don't think some of our crowd realize what you're doing--rather fancy you're cutting loose from them." "Let them think," said Stover carelessly. Then he added with some curiosity: "Has there been much talk?" "Yes, there has." "Any one spoken to you?" "Yes." "I know--I know they've got an idea I'm queering myself--oh, that word 'queer'; it's the bogey of the whole place." "You're right there! But, Dink, I might as well let you know the feeling; it isn't simply in our set, but some of the crowd ahead." "Le Baron, Reynolds?" "Yes. Haven't they ever--ever said anything to you?"