"Miss Tabor," he pleaded eagerly, "please do not think I do not want to go"——
"Did I hint such a thing?" she inquired, with an air of innocent indifference.
He could not fence with her upon that basis and after a moment of idle exchange of formalities she turned to join Mrs. Clancy and McCarthy went to his room. Swanson was stretched upon the bed, reading newspapers, and flinging each sheet at random as he finished scanning its contents.
"Darn the luck," said McCarthy, hurling his glove and shoes toward his trunk.
"Did his 'ittle tootsie wootsy treat him mean?" asked Swanson in his most exasperating tones.
"Aw shut up, you big dub," snapped McCarthy angrily, resorting to ball players' repartee to cover his feelings.
"Maybe his lovey dovey is just jealous and will forgive her 'ittle pet," taunted the giant. "Petty mustn't mind what lovey says in her notes."
"Oh," said Swanson, with vast relief when he found Swanson was barking up the wrong tree, "I forgot all about the note."
He dragged the missive from his pocket and scanned it hastily, then tossed it across to Swanson.
"Date is off," he announced joyously. "Needn't watch me to-night."