I to convince Dudley that Lorraine does not represent a receptacle for
all the deadly sins? Heigho! The mere fact of my disagreeing will
persuade him I am already contaminated, and he will see us both
heading, like fire-engines, for the nethermost hell."





CHAPTER II


If Dudley Pritchard's imagination did not actually picture the lurid
and violent descent Hal suggested, it certainly did view with the
utmost alarm his lively young sister's friendship with a fully fledged
actress.

As a matter of fact, Miss Walton's prognostications concerning his
attitude to Lorraine Vivian, even as a schoolgirl, had been instantly
confirmed upon their first meeting.

For no particular reason he disapproved of her. That was rather
typical of Dudley. He disapproved of a good many things without quite
knowing why, or being at any particular pains to find out.

Not that it made him bigoted. He could in fact be fairly tolerant; but
as Hal affectionately observed, Dudley was so apt to pat himself on the
back for his toleration towards things that it would never have occured
to most persons needed tolerating.