"Well, if he doesn't call on me, I'll call on him," said the old dame grimly; "if only to thank him for saving your life. Hum! Quite romantic the way in which the man's come into your little world, my dear. Quite romantic, I call it." Then, being very much the woman, in spite of her masculine appearance, Mrs. Perage asked a leading question. "Good-looking?"
"Oh!" Gwen clasped her hands. "He's a Greek god."
"So was Vulcan. Anything like that heavenly blacksmith?"
"No. He's tall and splendidly built, with brown hair and brown eyes; clean-shaven with clearly-cut features."
"Hum!" Mrs. Perage brought out the ejaculation with a boom. "You examined him pretty closely, young lady."
"Well, I had plenty of time to do so," retorted Miss Evans pertly. "I helped him to hobble to Mrs. Bell's house, and saw him again to thank him after the doctor had examined his poor ankle. I'm sure you will like him."
"That has yet to be seen. I don't like many people. However, Jim says that Mr. Hench is a thoroughly good fellow, and----"
"I'm sure he is. He saved my life."
"Consequently you intend to tumble head over heels in love with him?"
Gwen grew red. "I certainly don't. All the same he's very nice, and I'm sorry he's suffering pain."