Larry had not seen it as needful to tell the truth
about himself; his casual story was that he was there putting to use a
month's holiday granted him by a mythical firm in Chicago.
The Duchess's statement that it would be best for him not to seek work
at once was founded on wisdom. Larry was busy and interested, but he
did not yet have to face the constant suspicion and hostility which
are usually the disheartening lot of the ex-convict who asks for a
position. In this period his confidence and his purpose expanded with
new vitality.
As the busy days passed down in the little street, the bantering
fellowship between Larry and Hunt took deeper root. The Duchess did
not again show any of the emotion which had gleamed in her briefly
when Larry had announced his new plan; but bent and silent went like
an oddly revivified mummy about her affairs. And during these days he
did not again see Barney or Old Jimmie; he had learned that on the day
following his conference with them they had gone to Chicago on a very
private matter of business.
He saw Maggie daily, but she maintained the same attitude toward him.
He was now conscious that he was in love. He saw splendid qualities in
her, most of them latent. Maggie had determination, high spirits,
cleverness, courage, and capacity for sympathy and affection; she had
head, heart, and beauty, the makings of an unusual woman, if only she
could be swung into a different attitude of mind.
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