The delay gave me time to
see that my conduct was impertinent. The very fact that she was so
lovely to look upon should have been her protection. It afforded me no
excuse to follow and spy upon her. With this thought, I hastily returned
to the upper deck to bury myself in my book. If it did not serve to keep
my mind from the young lady, at least I would prevent my eyes from
causing her annoyance.
I was about to take the chair that the young man had left vacant when
Kinney objected.
"He was very much interested in our conversation," Kinney said, "and he
may return."
I had not noticed any eagerness on the part of the young man to talk to
Kinney or to listen to him, but I did not sit down.
"I should not be surprised a bit," said Kinney, "if that young man is no
end of a swell. He is a Harvard man, and his manner was most polite.
That," explained Kinney, "is one way you can always tell a real swell.
They're not high and mighty with you. Their social position is so secure
that they can do as they like. For instance, did you notice that he
smoked a pipe?"
I said I had not noticed it.
For his holiday Kinney had purchased a box of cigars of a quality more
expensive than those he can usually afford.
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