"What is will?"
"Oh—determination."
"You got plenty 'termination, I suppose." This with a teasing smile.
Mahooley looked at her sharply. "Look here, what are you getting at?" he demanded.
"Not'ing."
"I'm no hand to bandy words. I'm plain spoken. I go direct to a thing."
Bela shrugged.
"You can't play with me, you know. Is there anything you want?"
"No," said Bela with a provoking smile.
As Mahooley studied her, looking into the fire, a novel softness confused him. His astuteness was slipping from him, even while he bragged of it. "Damned if you're not the handsomest thing in this part of the world!" he said suddenly. It was surprised out of him. His first maxim was: "A man must never let anything on with these girls."