We all know that this is Ronnie's principal failing.

But--excuse me for saying so--it hardly deserved quite so severe an indictment from you." Helen wrung her hands.
Suddenly Dr.Dick took them both, firmly in his.
"Why don't you tell me the truth ?" he said.
Then Helen told him.
She never could remember afterwards exactly how she told him, and no one but Helen ever knew what Dr.Dick said and did.

But, months later--when in her presence aspersions were being cast on Dick for his indomitable ambition, his ruthless annihilation of all who stood in his way, his utter lack of religious principle and orthodox belief--Helen, her sweet face shadowed by momentary sadness, her eyes full of pathetic remembrance, spoke up for Ronnie's chum.

"He may be a bad old thing in many ways," she said; "I admit that the language he uses is calculated to make his great-aunt Louisa, of sacred memory, turn in her grave! But--he is a tower of strength in one's hour of need." * * * * * "No," said Dick, after a while, gazing straight before him into the fire, his chin in his hands; "I can't believe Ronnie knew it.

He was just in the condition to become frantically excited by such news.