Across the counter he regarded her in a semi-dazed fashion, speechless. She was rather flushed; her eyes danced with eagerness. Apparently she was all in earnest.
“Are ye gaun to be a penter a’ yer life?” she demanded.
“What for no’?” he retorted with some spirit. “It’s guid pay.”
“Guid pay! In ten year what’ll ye be makin’?”
“I couldna say. Maybe—maybe twenty-five shillin’s; maybe——”
“A week?”
“Ay; of course,” he said, nettled. “D’ye think I meant a month?”
“If ye was wi’ yer uncle an’ stickin’ to yer business, I wud ha’e said ’a day’! Ma gracious goodness! if ye was pleasin’ a man like that, there’s nae sayin’ where ye wud be in ten year.”
“Ach,” he said, with an attempt at lightness, “I’m no’ heedin’.”
Christina doubled her fist and smote the counter with such violence that he fairly jumped on his seat.