"It would have taken the nonsense out of him for ever. Why, he
was only talking out of a book."

"More fool he."

"Well, don't be angry with a fool. He means no harm. He muddles
all day with poetry and old dead people, and then tries to bring
it into life. It's too funny for words."

Gerald repeated that he could not stand unhealthiness.

"I don't call that exactly unhealthy."

"I do. And why he could give the money's worse."

"What do you mean?"

He became shy. "I hadn't meant to tell you. It's not quite for a
lady." For, like most men who are rather animal, he was
intellectually a prude. "He says he can't ever marry, owing to
his foot. It wouldn't be fair to posterity. His grandfather was
crocked, his father too, and he's as bad. He thinks that it's
hereditary, and may get worse next generation. He's discussed it
all over with other Undergrads. A bright lot they must be. He
daren't risk having any children. Hence the hundred quid."

She stopped laughing. "Oh, little beast, if he said all that!"

He was encouraged to proceed. Hitherto he had not talked about
their school days. Now he told her everything,--the