Now the same scene several years
hence. Same flapper, answering same question: 'Who's Banneker? Oh, a
reporter or something, on one of the papers.' _Et voila tout_!"
"Suppose you were with me at the Plaza, as an asset, several years
hence?"
"I shouldn't be--several years hence."
Banneker smiled radiantly. "Which I am to take as fair warning that,
unless I rise above my present lowly estate, that waxing young star,
Miss Raleigh, will no longer--"
"Ban! What right have you to think me a wretched little snob?"
"None in the world. It's I that am the snob, for even thinking about it.
Just the same, what you said about 'only a reporter or something' struck
in."
"But in a few years from now you won't be a reporter."
"Shall I still be privileged to invite Miss Raleigh to supper--or was it
tea?"
"You're still angry. That isn't fair of you when I'm being so frank. I'm
going to be even franker. I'm feeling that way to-night. Comes of being
tired, I suppose. Relaxing of the what-you-callems of inhibition. Do you
know there's a lot of gossip about us, back of stage?"
"Is there? Do you mind it?"
"No. It doesn't matter. They think I'm crazy about you." Her clear,
steady eyes did not change expression or direction.
"You're not; are you?"
"No; I'm not.
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