"I look upon Henri as my friend," continued Alfred
enthusiastically. "He speaks every language known to man. He's
been in every country in the world. HENRI UNDERSTANDS LIFE."
"LOTS of people UNDERSTAND LIFE," commented Jimmy dismally, "but
SOME people don't APPRECIATE it. They value it too lightly, to
MY way of thinking."
"Ah, but you have something to live for," argued Alfred.
"I have indeed; a great deal," agreed Jimmy, more and more abused
at the thought of what he was about to lose.
"Ah, that's different," exclaimed Alfred. "But what have _I_?"
Jimmy was in no frame of mind to consider his young friend's
assets, he was thinking of his own difficulties.
"I'm a laughing stock," shouted Alfred. "I know it. A 'good
thing' who gives his wife everything she asks for, while she is
running around with--with my best friend, for all I know."
"Oh, no, no," protested Jimmy nervously. "I wouldn't say that."
"Even if she weren't running around," continued Alfred excitedly,
without heeding his friend's interruption, "what have we to look
forward to? What have we to look backward to?"
Again Jimmy's face was a blank.
Alfred answered his own question by lifting his arms tragically
toward Heaven. "One eternal round of wrangles and rows! A
childless home! Do you think she wants babies?" he cried,
wheeling about on Jimmy, and daring him to answer in the
affirmative.
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