“Wait a minute, please. You say everybody is talking about Ed Raymond and me. What do you mean by that? What are they saying?”
“They're saying. . . . Oh, they're saying you and he are--are--”
“Are--are--Oh, they're saying all sorts of things. Look here, Helen, I--”
“Wait! I want to know more about this. What have you heard said about me?”
“Oh, a lot of things. . . . That is--er--well, nothing in particular, perhaps, but--”
“But I do mind. Who have you heard saying this 'lot of things' about me?”
“Nobody, I tell you. . . . Oh, well, if you must know, Issy Price said--well, he said you and this Raymond fellow were what he called 'keeping company' and--and that the whole town was talking about it.”
“Issy Price!” she repeated. “And you listened to what Issy Price said. Issy Price, of all people!”
“Well--well, he said everyone else said the same thing.”
“No, but that was enough, wasn't it. Besides, the rest was plain. I could see it myself. He is calling here about every night in the week, and--and being around everywhere with you and--and--Oh, anyone can see!”
Helen's usually placid temper was beginning to ruffle.
“Very well,” she said, “then they may see. Why shouldn't he call here if he wishes--and I wish? Why shouldn't I be 'around with him,' as you say? Why not?”
“Well, because I don't like it. It isn't the right thing for you to do. You ought to be more careful of--of what people say.”
He realized, almost as soon as this last sentence was blurted out, the absolute tactlessness of it. The quiet gleam of humor he had so often noticed in Helen's eyes was succeeded now by a look he had never before seen there.
“Oh, I'm sorry,” he added, hastily. “I beg your pardon, Helen. I didn't mean to say that. Forgive me, will you?”
She did not answer immediately. Then she said, “I don't know whether I shall or not. I think I shall have to think it over. And perhaps you had better go now.”
“But I'M sorry, Helen. It was a fool thing to say. I don't know why I was such an idiot. Do forgive me; come!”
She slowly shook her head. “I can't--yet,” she said. “And this you must understand: If Ed Raymond, or anyone else, calls on me and I choose to permit it, or if I choose to go out with him anywhere at any time, that is my affair and not 'everyone else's'--which includes Issachar Price. And my FRIENDS--my real friends--will not listen to mean, ridiculous gossip. Good night.”