Although she had got her arms round him again, Mabel could not stop Dick's voice. He had something to say and was determined to say it; felt wound up to go.
"Breaking your heart!" he commented contemptuously. "You have already broken his; but you will have Percy to mend yours."
"Percy! How dare you suggest such a thing!"
He looked at her astonished; was startled into absolute amazement at the indignation in her voice as she broke away from him.
"Dare! Well——"
"Percy!" She repeated the name scornfully. "You know I hate, detest, despise, loathe him."
Her face was so very expressive just then that there could be no doubt she was saying what she meant. Dick was quick to realize that. Was so astonished at the turn matters had taken that he could only ejaculate:
"Eh!"
A small word, but all he felt capable of shaping just then; was his way of expressing the unutterable mystification and astonishment which had gripped hold of him.
"You know it, Dick!" Boot on floor: tattoo resumed. "Don't stand there with that idiotic vacant look on your face, as if you were surprised to hear it."