Mahooley dropped the old man and turned around astonished. "What's the matter with you? You told him yourself to go."
"I don't care," said Bela. "Now I want him stay."
"What do you think I am?" cried Mahooley. "I don't want no third party present when I call on a girl."
She shrugged indifferently. "It wouldn't do you no good to put him out. I got not'ing for you. Not to-night."
Mahooley seized her wrist. "My God, if you think you're going to play fast and loose——"
Bela smiled—scornfully, unafraid, provoking. "W'at you t'ink?" she said. "I not same lak those girls down by your place. They come w'en you whistle. I come when I ready. Maybe I never come."
There was a battle between their eyes. "You need a master!" cried Mahooley.
Her eyes glowed with as strong a fire as his. "You can't get me easy as them," said Bela.
Mahooley laughed and dropped her wrist. "Oh, you want a bit of wooing!" he cried. "All right. You're worth it."
Bela changed her tactics again. She smiled at him dazzlingly. "Go now. Come to-morrow."