your
wringer," she went on, in the same cold, hard voice, "and I've been
waiting to tell you something. You have wrapped all the other women
around your fingers like so many rings--and what a _sickening_
exhibition that has been!--but you are not going to make either a ring
or a lap-dog out of me."

Almost but not quite too late Hilton saw through that perfect act. He
seized her right hand in both of his, held it up over her head, and
waved it back and forth in the sign of victory.

"Socked me with my own club!" he exulted, laughing delightedly,
boyishly. "And came within a tenth of a split red hair! If it hadn't
been so absolutely out of character you'd've got away with it. _What_ a
load of stuff! I was right--of all the women on this project, you're the
only one I've ever been really afraid of."

"Oh, damn. Ouch!" She grinned ruefully. "I hit you with everything I had
and it just bounced. You're an operator, chief. Hit 'em hard, at
completely unexpected angles. Keep 'em staggering, completely off
balance. Tell 'em nothing--let 'em deduce your lies for themselves. And
it anybody tries to slug you back, like I did just now, duck it and
clobber him in another unprotected spot. Watching you work has been not
only a delight, but also a liberal education."

* * * * *

"Thanks. I love you, too, Teddy." He lighted two cigarettes, handed her
one. "I'm glad, though, to lay it flat on the table with you, because in
any battle of wits with _you_ I'm licked before we start."

"Yeah. You just proved it. And after licking me hands down, you think
you can square it by swinging the old shovel that way?" She did not
quite know whether to feel resentful or not.

"Think over a couple of things. First, with the possible exception of
Temple Bells, you're the best brain aboard."

"No. You are. Then Temple. Then there are ..."

"Hold it. You know as well as I do that accurate self-judgment is
impossible. Second, the jam we're in. Do I, or don't I, want to lay it
on the table with you, now and from here on? Bore into that with your
Class A Double-Prime brain. Then tell me." He leaned back, half-closed
his eyes and smoked lazily.

She stiffened; narrowed her eyes in concentration; and thought. Finally:
"Yes, you do; and I'm gladder of that than you will ever know."

"I think I know already, since you're her best friend and the only other
woman I know of in her class. But I came in to kick a couple of