"Would it scare you quite out of your
poor, queer wits if I were to HUG you? Don't call for help. I'm
not really going to do it."
"I know you're not," said he dolefully. "But about that row, I
want to set myself right. I'm no fool. I know it took a certain
amount of nerve to go down there. And I was even proud of it, in a
way. And when Von Plaanden turned and gave me the salute before he
went away, I liked it quite a good deal."
"Did he do that? I love him for it!" cried the girl.
"But my point is this, that what I did wasn't sound common sense.
Now if Carroll had done it, it would have been all right."
"Why for him and not for you?"
"Because those are his principles. They're not mine."
"I wish you weren't quite so contemptuous of poor Fitz. It seems
hardly fair."
"Contemptuous of him? I'd give half my life to be in his place
after to-morrow."
"Why?" There was a flutter in her throat as she put the question.
"Because he's going with you, isn't he?"
"So are you, if you will."
"I can't."
"Father won't go without you, I believe. Won't you come, if I ask
you?"
"No.
Pages:
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220