“Well, well! If you can lose a man such as I set to watch you, you'll have no trouble shaking the others.” “It was Karlov, Cutty.” “How did you learn?” “Searched the morgue and found a half tone of him. Positively Karlov. How is the patient?” “Harrison says he's pulling round amazingly. A tough skull. He'll be up for his meals in no time.” “How do you do it?” she asked with a gesture. “Do what?” “Manage a place like this? In a busy office district. It's the most wonderful apartment in New York. Riverside has nothing like it. It must cost like sixty.” “The building is mine, Kitty. That makes it possible. An uncle who knew I hated money and the responsibilities that go with it, died and left it to me.” “Why, Cutty, you must be rich!” “I'm sorry. What can I do? I can't give it away.” “But you don't have to work!” “Oh, yes, I do. I'm that kind. I'd die of a broken heart if I had to sit still. It's the game.” “Did mother know?” “Yes.” With the toe of a snug little bronze boot Kitty drew an outline round a pattern in the rug. “Love is a funny thing,” was her comment. “It sure is, old-timer. But what put the thought into your head?” “I was thinking how very much mumsy must have been in love with father.” “But she never knew that I loved her, Kitty.” “What's that got to do with it? If she had wanted money you wouldn't have had the least chance in the world.” “Probably not! But what would you have done in your mother's place?” “Snapped you up like that!” Kitty flashed back. “You cheerful little--little--” “Liar. Say it!” Kitty laughed. “But am I a cheerful little liar? I don't know. It would be an awful temptation. Somebody to wait on you; heaps of flowers when you wanted them; beautiful gowns and thingummies and furs and limousines. I've often wondered what I should do if I found myself with love and youth on one side and money and attraction on the other. I've always been in straitened circumstances. I never spent a dollar in all my days when I didn't think I ought to have held back three or four cents of it. You can't know, Cutty, what it is to be poor and want beautiful things and good times. Of course. I couldn't marry just money. There would have to be some kind of a man to go with it. Someone interesting enough to make me forget sometimes that I'd thrown away a lover for a pocket-book.” “Would you marry me, Kitty?” “Are you serious?” “Let's suppose I am.” “No. I couldn't marry you, Cutty I should always be having my mother's ghost as a rival.” “But supposing I fell in love with you?” “Then I'd always be doubting your constancy. But what queer talk!”' “Kitty, you're a joy! Lordy, my luck in dropping in to see you yesterday!” “And a little whippersnapper like me calling a great man like you Cutty!” “Well, if it embarrasses you, you might switch to papa once in a while.” Kitty's laughter rang down the corridor. “I'll remember that whenever I want to make you mad. Who's here?”