' Why, say, there's that shack of
yours in Connecticut, just made for it. That kid would have the time of
his life there."
"You think that's the solution, do you, Steve?"
"I'm dead sure it is." Steve's voice became more and more enthusiastic
as the idea unfolded itself. "Why, it ain't only the kid I'm thinking
of. There's Miss Ruth. Say, you don't mind me pulling this line of
talk?"
"Go ahead. I began it. What about Miss Ruth?"
"Well, you know just what's the matter with her. She's let this society
game run away with her. I guess she started it because she felt
lonesome when you were away; and now it's got her and she can't drop
it. All she wants is a jolt. It would slow her up and show her just
where she was. She's asking for it. One good, snappy jolt would put the
whole thing right. And this thing of jerking the kid away to
Connecticut would be the right dope, believe _me_."
Kirk shook his head.
"It wouldn't do, Steve. It isn't that I don't want to do it; but one
must play to the rules. I can't explain what I mean. I can only say
it's impossible. Let's think of a parallel case. When you were in the
ring, there must have been times when you had a chance of hitting your
man low. Why didn't you do it? It would have jolted him, all right."
"Why, I'd have lost on a foul."
"Well, so should I lose on a foul if I started the sort of rough-house
you suggest.
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