"Cal Bennett's all right--but the others--oh, I suppose they're all right
in a business way--but--"

"But, what?"

She made a helpless little gesture.

"I can't describe it--you know--the sort that are always so keen on doing
their _duty!_"

She laughed; and to his subconscious surprise Keith found himself saying
sympathetically:

"I know the sort of people who always pay their debts!"

They looked into each other's eyes and laughed in comradeship. In sober
life Keith did his duty reasonably well, and was never far behind
financially.

She fell silent for a moment; then with a muttered "excuse me," she leaned
directly across his shoulder to impart something low-voiced and giggly to
the woman on his right. To do this she leaned her breast against his arm
and shoulder. The conversation lasted some seconds. Keith could not hear a
word of it; but he was disturbingly aware of her perfume, the softness of
her body, and the warmth that struck even through the intervening clothing.
She drew back with a half apology.

"Feminine nonsense," she told him. "Mere man couldn't be expected to
understand." She was herself a little flushed from leaning over, but she
appeared not to notice Keith's rather breathless state. He muttered