"Tell you what? Tell you why I loiter by our soldiers' camps
like any painted drab? I will tell you this much; I need no longer
play that shameless role."
"You need not use those words in the same breath when speaking
of yourself," I answered hotly.
"Then— you do not credit ill of me?" she asked, a bright but
somewhat fixed and painful smile on her red lips.
"No!" said I bluntly. "Nor did I ever."
"And yet I look the part, and seem to play it, too. And still
you believe me honest?"
"I know you are."
"Then why should I be here alone— if I am honest, Euan?"
"I do not know; tell me."
"But— are you quite certain that you do not ask because you
doubt me?"
I said impatiently: "I ask, knowing already you are good above
reproach. I ask so I may understand how best to aid you."
A l
