And I know just how likely I am to appeal to the imagination
of a young girl. I take my chance, nevertheless. Your question,
divested of oratory, means what shall I do if Desire finds her mate
and that mate is not myself? My answer, also divested of oratory, is
that I do not keep what does not belong to me. Is that plain?"
The doctor nodded. "Plain enough," he said. "But how will you know?"
"Well, I might guess. You see," resuming his seat and his ordinary
manner at the same time, "Desire is my secretary. I make a point of
studying the psychology of those who work with me. And, aside from
the slight abnormality which I have mentioned, Desire is very true
to type, her own type--a very womanly one. And a woman in love is
hard to mistake. But," cheerfully, "she is only a child yet in
matters of loving. And she may never grow up."
"You seem quite happy about it."
" 'Call no man happy till he is dead.' And yet--I am happy. If tears
must come, why anticipate them?"
"There speaks the hopeless optimist," said Rogers, laughing. "But
because I called you a fish, I'll give you a bit of valuable advice.
I can't see you scrap quite all your chances. Kill Mary."
"I can't. Besides, why should I? Desire likes to hear about her. Or
says she does. It provides her with an interest. And a little
perfectly human jealousy is very stimulating."
"You think she is jealous?"
"Oh, not in the way you mean. But every woman likes to be first,
even with her friends.
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