Their whole bringing-up and
associations, however, have certainly not been of a strict order.
I cannot help thinking that persuasion might be brought to bear
upon Miss Beatrice, that it might be pointed out to her that a
true story is the safest."
"Well, if you've finished," Tavernake declared, "I'd like to tell
you what I think of your story. I think it's all d -d silly
nonsense! This Wenham Gardner, by your own saying, was half mad.
There was a quarrel and he's gone off to Paris or somewhere. As
to your suggestions about Mrs. Gardner, I think they're
infamous."
Pritchard was unmoved by his companion's warmth.
"Why, that's all right, Mr. Tavernake," he affirmed. "I can
quite understand your feeling like that just at first. You see,
I've been among crime and criminals all my days, and I learn to
look for a certain set of motives when a thing of this sort
happens. You've been brought up among honest folk, who go the
straightforward way about life, and naturally you look at the
same matter from a different point of view. But you and I have
got to talk this out. I want you to understand that those very
charming young ladies are not quite the class of young women whom
you know anything about. Mind you, I haven't a word to say
against Miss Beatrice. I dare say she's as straight as they make
'em. But--you must take another whiskey and soda, Mr. Tavernake.
Now, I insist upon it. Tim, come right over here."
Mr. Pritchard seemed to have forgotten what he was talking about.
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