Years afterwards,
when his attitude towards them was often quoted as being one of the
extraordinary features of an extraordinary personality, he remembered
his perseverance on this occasion.
"You have not spoken to a woman for so many years," he persisted. "Why
not renew the experience? Nothing so humanizing, you know--not even
cigarettes."
Wingrave's face fell, if possible into sterner lines. His tone was
cold and hard.
"My scheme of life," he said, "may be reconstructed more than once
before I am satisfied. But I can assure you of this! There will be no
serious place in it for women!"
Aynesworth shrugged his shoulders. He never doubted but that in a
month of two his vis-a-vis would talk differently.
"Your scheme of life," he repeated thoughtfully. "That sounds
interesting! Have you any objection, I wonder, to telling me what
manner of life you propose to lead?"
It was several moments before Wingrave answered him. He was smoking a
cigar in a mechanical sort of way, but he obviously derived no
pleasure from it. Yet Aynesworth noticed that some instinct had led
him to choose the finest brand.
"Perhaps," he said, letting his eyes rest coldly upon his questioner,
"if I told you all that was in my mind you would waive your month's
salary and get back to your journalism!"
Aynesworth shrugged his shoulders.
"Why should you suppose that?" he asked. "I am not a moralist myself,
nor am I the keeper of your conscience.
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