Jack, who was not acquainted with either, preserved a discreet silence.
"Father has sent out for a set of Shakespeare for me," she went on. "I am looking forward to it."
"It's better on the stage," said Jack. "What fun to take you to the theatre!"
She made no comment on this. Presently the scissors gave a concluding snip.
"Lean over and look at yourself in the water," she commanded.
Obeying, he found to his secret relief that his looks had not suffered appreciably. "That's out of sight!" he said heartily, turning to her. "I say, I'm ever so much obliged to you."
An awkward silence fell between them. Jack's growing intention was clearly evident in his eye, but she did not look at him.
"I—I must pay you," he said at last, a little breathlessly.
She understood that very well, and sprang up, the scissors ringing on the hollow deck. They were both pale. She turned to run, but the box was in her way. Leaping from the raft to the barge, he caught her in his arms, and as she strained away he kissed her round firm cheek and her fragrant neck beneath the ear. He roughly pressed her averted head around, and crushed her soft lips under his own.
Then she got an arm free, and he received a short-arm box on the ear that made his head ring. She tore herself out of his arms, and faced him from the other side of the barge, panting and livid with anger.