“That will do, sir,” she replied, with some feeling. “We had better part here. I cannot permit you to use such language.”
“Why, bless you, Jennie, I don’t mean a speck of harm in it,” said Will laughing. “Didn’t think you’d get your temper up so easy. I can’t help no more being imperdent than I can help breathing, and it don’t take folks long to find that out. Best do what I said t’other day; give that chap his walking-papers and set your cap for me.”
“Very well. I will let you know when I have made up my mind to that,” she replied, stopping as if to bring their interview to a close.
“All right, if you ain’t goin’ my way,” said Will. “I’d like to spend the day and show you round town a bit, but I got biz’ness to ’tend to, and you’ll have to let me off. Good-by. My respects to him.”
Will was away like a shot, leaving her surprised that she had consented to be interviewed by a shop boy, and one speaking so impertinently and with such shocking English in the public streets.
There was something behind all this in Jennie Arlington’s mind. She was drawn to Will Somers by an attraction whose nature it would have been difficult for her to define, but which was none the less strong for her ignorance of its origin.
She found herself questioning the source of this unusual feeling as she walked slowly on, and was puzzled at finding herself unable to account for it.
“Ain’t many gals like her in this village,” soliloquized Will. “A rich and proud one enough, I’ll bet, but she lets me talk to her straight from the shoulder. Dunno how it is but I’ve got a queer kind o’ hankering after her. ’Tain’t what they call fallin’ in love. That’s not my lay. But she’s got the upper holt on my fancy somehow, an’ I’ll swow if I know how— Haloo! Wonder if that’s the partick’ler chap now? There’s some feller jist j’ined her. Bet I’ve seen him afore, too. Like to turn back and twig the cut of his jib, but it wouldn’t be on the square. Guess I’ll toddle on.”
The person who had joined the young lady was a gentleman of attractive appearance. He was of good build, and had an engaging face, the expression of his full gray eyes and well formed mouth being that of great frankness. He was dressed neatly, but with no effort at display.
Their greeting displayed much warmth, and an animated conversation ensued between them. A half-hour afterward found them enjoying ices in a neighboring restaurant, and still busily conversing.