"I'll come, all right; but I'm goin' now."
As the girl turned to go, Lem lumbered to his feet.
"I've got somethin' to say about this!" he stuttered.
"Sit down, Lem!" commanded Lon.
Crabbe stood still.
"That gal don't go back tonight! She's mine! Ye gived her to me, and I want her now."
Lem wriggled his body between Fledra and the stairs; but the girl thrust herself upon him with an angry snarl.
"Don't touch me with your dirty hands!" she gasped.
Lem caught his breath.
"Ye've let that rich pup of a Shellington kiss ye—ye don't move from here!"