"Isn't it?" Amory bore him down, flinging out an adorable arm. "Isn't it? What is the battle, then, if that isn't it? What is every woman worth her salt, and a few devoted men, working and suffering and fighting for if it isn't for that? They're fighting against Wrong, Cosimo, and Vivisection, and Tuberculosis, and Man-made Laws, and the White Slave Traffic----"
But Cosimo was white. He had heard all this before, but something he had not heard before had evidently seized on him now. Again he tried to speak, but again Amory went triumphantly on.
"And with _that_ noble task before us, what does it matter what scurrilous tongues say? Let them say! We defy the world! The world!" (She gave a contemptuous laugh). "Why, the world will be drawing its 'conclusions' (I believe that's the expression) at this very moment. A young man and a young woman, discussing ideals together----," she became brightly mocking, "--dreadful! Two beings of the opposite sex merely discussing great Social Problems--ha ha! Heavens, if they only knew! I really believe, Cosimo, that of all the times we've been together, if once--just once--the roof could have been lifted off and we could have been seen, perfectly innocently occupied, the world would have had such a shock to its conceit and ignorance that the Dawn would begin to-morrow! I really think that----"
But here Cosimo found his tongue. "Amory," he gasped, "do you mean that they've been talking about--you and me?"
Amory laughed. "Why, you stupid old Cosimo, who else?"
At that Amory's laugh ceased. She stared. "You?... Cosimo, did you--tell me--did you think I had a scandalous relation with anybody else?"
"Then who did you suppose they'd been talking about?" she asked, staring.
"Do you _mind_?" This was said slowly, as if Amory struggled with a new idea.
"No--of course not--I mean, I think you're magnificent--but it--it didn't occur to me--just at first----"
Amory smiled cynically. "Oh, I've not had any scandalous relation with anybody except you!"
"Er--er--ha--have some more tea," said Cosimo quaveringly, putting out his hand to the cold teapot.
"Perhaps _you_ don't believe me either?" said Amory presently, her head suddenly thrown back. "Perhaps you thought I'd found another friend while you were away?"