She looked at him with demure reproach.
"Dick!"
He grinned sheepishly and clung to her hand.
"Yes--Jennie--"
"Do you know what you are doing?"
"No--but--I
know--what--I'm--trying--to--do--and--I'm--going--to--do--it--"
Again his big hand crushed hers.
"You're trying to break every bone in my hand as near as I can make
out--I'd like it back when you're through with it--"
He found his tongue at last:
"I--I--can't let you have it back, Jennie, I'm going to keep it
forever--"
"Really?"
"Yes--I am. I--I love you--Jennie--don't you love me--just--a--little
bit?"
The girl laughed.
"No!"
"Not the least--little--tiny--bit?"
"I don't think so--"
The hand slipped through his limp fingers and he stared at her in a
hopeless, pitiful way.
Her heart went out in a wave of tender sympathy. She put her hand back
in his in a wistful touch.
"I'm sorry, Dick dear, I didn't think you loved me in that way--"
"What did you think I was hanging round you so much for?"
"I knew you liked me, of course. And I like you--but I've never thought
seriously about love."
"There's no other fellow?"
"Of course, not--"
"You liked that Socola, didn't you?"
"I liked him--yes--"
"I thought so."
"He's cultured, handsome, interesting--"
"He's a sissy!"
"Dick!"
"A little wizened-faced rat--the spider-snake! I could break his long
neck.
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