Page:Hornung - Fathers of Men.djvu/350

 "What do they say about that?" inquired Jan.

"Well, there was some talk about—about a bit of a—romance!"

Jan's grin made him look quite himself.

"Nicely put, Chips! But you can contradict that on the best authority."

"Now it's got about that it's a drinking row."

"That's more like it."

"It's what most fellows believe," said Chips, with questionable tact.

"Oh, is it? Think I look the part, do they?"

"Not you, Jan"

"What then?"

Chips did not like going on, but was obliged to now.

"Well, some fellows seem to think that—except yesterday, of course—your bowling"

"Has suffered from it, eh? Go on, Chips! I like this. I like it awfully!"

And this time Jan laughed outright, but did not look himself.

"It's not what I say, Jan! I wouldn't hear of it."

"Very kind of you, I'm sure; but I shouldn't wonder if you thought it all the same."

"I don't, I tell you!"

"I wouldn't blame you if you did. How things fit in! Any other circumstantial evidence against me?"

Chips hesitated again.

"Out with it, man. I may as well know."

"Well, some say—but only some—that's why you've been going about so much by yourself!"

"To go off on the spree alone?"

Chips nodded. "You see, you often refused to go out even with me," he said reproachfully; not as though he