“Did she refuse you?” called Nixie, as his friend stretched portentously, and then came on up the steps.
“Absolutely.”
“It must be a habit of hers,” remarked Mrs. Bruce. “Captain Salter has been returning to the charge for years, so I’ve heard lately.”
“Great work!” declared Nixie with zest. “He looks like a sea-dog that can hold on. I must have some fun with the great and only Betsy.”
“If you do,” remarked Irving lazily, “I’ll have some fun with you that will make you an interesting invalid for the rest of the summer.”
“Highty-tighty!” exclaimed Nixie. “I believe sonny is in earnest, Mrs. Bruce.”
“Doubtless,” she returned, with some bitterness. “Betsy has a true knight.”
“I am in earnest,” said Irving quietly. “Betsy’s private affairs are as much to be respected as your mother’s. Hands off.”
“I spoke to her about the captain once,” said Mrs. Bruce. “He’d been as much as making love to her under my very eyes, and I put some innocent question, but—” the speaker shrugged her shoulders—“she snubbed me.”