“Hello, boys!” And then added, a little more bravely: “How’s everythin’?”
“Bully!” spoke up Handsome Charlie, who was posing for her benefit, as was his wont, beside one of the desks.
“Say, we missed you,” acknowledged Sonora with a world of tenderness in his voice. “Never knew you to desert The Polka for a whole week before.”
“No, I—I ...” stammered guiltily, and with their little gifts turned abruptly towards her desk lest she should meet their gaze.
“Academy’s opened,” suddenly announced Happy, “and—”
“Yes, I see it is,” quickly answered the Girl, brushing away a tear that persisted in clinging to her eyelids; slowly, now, she drew off her gloves and laid them on the desk.
“I guess I’m kind o’ nervous to-day, boys,” she began.
“No wonder,” observed Sonora. “Road agent’s been in camp an’ we missed a hangin’. I can’t git over that.”
All a-quiver and not daring to meet the men’s gaze, much less to discuss the road agent with them, the Girl endeavoured to hide her confusion by asking Nick to help her off with her cape. Turning presently she said in a strained voice:
“Well, come on, boys—come, now!”