“Hallo!” cried Will, under his breath. “Seems to me I’ve seen that figure-head afore. Blest if it ain’t the gal that shook me yesterday! Isn’t she got up gallus?”
The young lady, whose rich and tasteful dress brought this exclamation from Will, recognized him at once as he advanced.
A smile crossed her face as she remembered the close of their former interview.
“Hope you’re not too proud to speak to a fellar,” said Will, as he walked boldly up. “’Tain’t in the woods we are now, that’s sure; but if you can box a chap’s ears there you can speak to him here.”
“I don’t think you deserve to be spoken to,” she answered, “after your conduct yesterday.”
“I dunno anything I done that wasn’t right to the mark,” said Will with a look of surprise. “If I stepped over the line anywhere I’m jist the feller to step back ag’in.”
“What did I box your ears for?” asked Miss Arlington, as Will walked gravely on beside her to her seeming amusement.
“For fun, maybe,” he replied. “I couldn’t see nothing I done. Guess you thought you had a country cove. See if I don’t give you the worth of your box.”
“Why, you are not cherishing ill-feeling, I hope?”
“No, but I’m death on gettin’ square. I’ll find out the chap that’s sweet on you yet, and if I don’t put a ring in his nose there’s no use talking.”