“I ain’t engaged; if that’s what you mean.”
“Not engaged—with that ring? Come, you’re fooling!”
“It does look some like an engagement ring,” said the girl, stealthily feeling her new treasure, “but it—it’s only an offerin’ o’ friendship. He—he’s got another girl. But I guess he don’t care s’ awful much ’bout her. She’s good-lookin’; but she don’t treat him right, an’ that makes him mad. I don’t blame him, neither.”
“Do I know the party?” inquired Mr. Todd, affecting a consuming curiosity.
“I ain’t a-goin’ t’ say, whether you do, er don’t,” and the girl tossed her head. “I wisht you’d let me alone.”
“W’y, I ain’t sayin’ anything out the way. What’s your hurry to get rid of me, I’d like to know?”
The girl moistened her red lips, with an anxious glance at the stair.
“The’s a party bought that seat you’re in. I got t’ save it fer him.”
“That’s all right, too,” said Mr. Todd affably. “I’ll get up an’ vamoose the minute you tell me he’s coming.”
“He’s cornin’ now,” said the girl anxiously. “He won’t like it, if he sees me talkin’ with you.”