through yours. Between the two windows I can handle him alone. I
only hope we shan't be noticed, for that might prove awkward. Now
take hold. That's it. When I'm through the window just push
his legs outside." Panting, Kitty obeyed. "All right," said Cutty.
"I like your pluck. You run along ahead and be ready to help me in
with him. A healthy beggar! Here goes."

With a heave and a hunch and another heave Cutty stood up, the limp
body disposed scientifically across his shoulders. Kitty was quite
impressed by this exhibition of strength in a man whom she considered
as elderly - old. There was an underthought that such feats of
bodily prowess were reserved for young men. With the naive conceit
of twenty-four she ignored the actual mathematics of fifty years of
clean living and thinking, missed the physiological fact that often
men at fifty are stronger and tougher than men in the twenties. They
never waste energy; their precision of movement and deliberation of
thought conserve the residue against the supreme moment.

As a parenthesis: To a young woman what is a hero? Generally
something conjured out of a book she has read; the unknown, handsome
young man across the street; the leading actor in a society drama;
the idol of the movie. A hero must of necessity be handsome; that
is the first essential. If he happens to be brave and debonair,
rich and aristocratic, so much the better. Somehow, to be brave and
to be heroic are not actually accepted synonyms in certain youthful
feminine minds. For instance, every maid will agree that her father
is brave; but tell her he is a hero because he pays his bills
regularly and she will accept the statement with a smile of tolerant
indulgence.