"When the fire went out I woke up cold," Joe went on plausibly. "I come aboard to get me a sweater out of my bag."
Ralph was not deceived. The thought of Joe's evil, swimming little eyes profaning the picture of the sleeping girl inside, by so much as looking at her, filled him with a cold, unreasonable rage, and he was ready to go to any lengths to prevent it. At the same time he reflected that it would serve her better to avoid a fight, if he could, and he put his wits to work.
"Take one of my blankets," he said. "I have more than I need!"
Joe demurred. They argued the matter with sarcastic politeness on both sides. Each was aware that the other saw through his game.
Ralph soon tired of it. "Very well, if you want to go in there, you go by the front door, see?" he said shortly.
Joe knew as well as Ralph that the screech of the door would awaken her before he got in. "What's the matter with you?" snarled Joe.
"What's the use of beating around the bush?" retorted Ralph. "I tell you straight I won't allow that girl to be bothered."
"You won't let her be bothered!" sneered Joe. "Holy mackerel, listen to what's talking! Did she put you out here as a guard?"
"She did not," said Ralph.
"I know darn well she didn't," said Joe. "And she wouldn't thank you for it neither. She's got a date with me to-night."