temper."

"I know it of old."

"So many nice people have bad tempers. I think it's the least horrid
fault you can have; because it comes on you when you're not thinking,
and it isn't your fault at all."

"No; it is generally some one else's."

"I don't think much of people's passions myself. He might have something
far worse than that."

"Most undoubtedly. He might have atrocious taste in dress, or a tendency
to drink."

"Don't be silly. Did you know him when he was young? I don't mean to say
he isn't young--thirty-seven's young enough for anybody--I mean when he
was young like me?"

"I can't say. I doubt if he was ever young--like you. But I knew him when
he was a boy."

"So you understand him?"

"Oh, pretty well. Not always, perhaps. He's a difficult subject."

"Anyhow, you like him? Don't you?"

Stanistreet gave a curious hard laugh.