Then he lamely
apologized for the trouble he had caused, and tried to thank the
women for their kindness.
He was shaky when, an hour later, he came down-stairs for
breakfast; but otherwise he felt better than for many days; and
Blaze's open delight at seeing did him as much good as the food he
ate.
Dave spent the morning sunning himself on the porch, reading the
papers with their exciting news, and speculating over the
significance of his mental collapse. The more he thought of it now
the more ominous it seemed. One result which particularly
distressed him was the change it had wrought in Paloma Jones's
bearing; for of a sudden the girl had become distant and formal.
The reason was not far to seek; Dave could not doubt that the
knowledge of his secret had frightened her. Well, that was to be
expected--he would probably lose all his friends in time. It was a
bitter thought; life would be very dull and flat without friends.
He wondered how he could bear to see those who loved him turn
away; to see their liking change to restraint and fear, as it
threatened to do in Paloma's case. Better anything than that.
There was, however, one friend who, Dave knew, would not shun him;
one of whose lasting affection he felt sure; and at memory of her
he came to his feet.
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