"I only saw him once, too," he cried, "that was enough for me."

Vera swiftly spun the piano stool so that she faced him. Her
eyes were filled with concern.

"You, Mannie!" she demanded anxiously. "What had you done?"

"Done!" exclaimed Mannie indignantly, "nothing! What'd you think
I'd done? Did you think I was a crook?"

Vera bowed her shoulders and shivered as though the boy had
cursed at her. She shook her head vehemently and again swung
back to the piano. Stumbling awkwardly, her fingers ran over the
keys in a swift clatter of broken chords. "No," she whispered,
"no, Mannie, no."

With a laugh of delighted recollection, Mannie turned to Mabel.

"He raided a poolroom I was working at," he explained. "He
picked me out as a sheet writer because I had my coat off, see?
I told him I had it off because it was too hot for me, and he
says, Young man, if you lie to me, I'll make I a damn sight
hotter!" Mannie threw back his head and shouted uproariously.
"He's all right, Winthrop!" he declared.

Mabel, having already married Winthrop to Vera in Grace Church,
with herself in the front pew, in a blue silk dress, received
this unexpected evidence of his rare wit with delight. In
ecstasy of appreciation she slapped her knees.