"You take advantage of our friendship," she said, severely; "but there are limits beyond which even an old friend cannot go, and you've reached them. Mr. Covington is a friend too; I don't admit that he is more than this, but I shan't let you say unfair things about him any more than I should listen to similar things about you. Come now, let's drop the subject. How many lumps will you have?" "Two lumps, and--no lemon, please." "You say you wouldn't be a man if you didn't warn me," the girl went on; "but it is because you are not that you talk as you do. You find me agreeable, and, boy-like, think you want to marry me. Pat thinks she wants to marry you--you are both children, and both behave the same." Allen put his cup down on the table untasted. "Is there no way I can convince you that I've grown up?" he demanded. "Yes; drop all this nonsense about me, and make yourself a place in the world as Mr. Covington has done." "Never!" he almost shouted. "You don't know how he's made his place, or you wouldn't say that. Do you want me to climb up by stepping all over those who have helped me, to play double with every one I meet, to crisscross even on the man who trusts me most, and finally try to cinch my position by marrying his daughter? If that's your idea of being a man, I'll tell you right now, not for mine." Alice rose, with flaming face. "I told you that you had reached the limit, Allen--now you have passed it. Oh! why did I let you go on! I like you so much, and I want to see you succeed. I've tried to help you all I could, and this is the result. Now we can't even be friends any more, and this insane jealousy of yours will spoil your chances in the Companies. Oh, Allen, Allen--why can't you grow up and be sensible!" "Don't worry about me," the boy said, dejectedly. "You're probably right, just as the pater was probably right. I'm no good anyhow. I didn't want to go into diplomacy because there seemed to be so much in it which was double-dealing. Now I'm in business, and I see the same things there. It's all my fault--it must be; but I'm in wrong somehow. I wouldn't say a word, Alice, if it were some one else, but Covington--well, you've told me to cut that out, so I will. But don't say we can't be friends--I couldn't stand that. You'll need me some time, little girl, and when you do, I want to be Johnny on the spot." Alice never found it possible to be angry with him for any extended period. Always after his impulsive outbreaks he became so contrite that the early displeasure was abated by his unspoken but evident desire for forgiveness. "Will you take back what you said about Mr. Covington?" she asked. "I can't do that," he replied, firmly; "but I'll do my best to let you find him out from some one else."