CHAPTER XI
ANTAGONISM IS BORN AND WAR DECLARED
"Why—hello, Hermy!" exclaimed Spike, pausing in the doorway. "Gee, I thought you was—were in Englewood."
Hermione lifted her golden head, stayed her humming sewing-machine, and smiled at him.
"And I thought I'd come home and surprise you. Aren't you glad to see me, boy dear?"
"Why, sure I am!" he answered, and stooping, kissed a golden curl that wantoned at her white temple; which done, he sprawled in the easy-chair and taking a newspaper from his pocket, fell to studying the latest baseball scores while Hermione, head bent above her work again, glanced at him now and then rather wistfully.
"Gee whiz," he exclaimed suddenly, "the Giants put it all over Cincinnati to-day, Hermy. Y' see, Matty was in th' box, an' he sure pitched some game!"
Hermione stopped her machine and looked at him under wrinkling brows.
"I thought you were hunting through the 'wanted' columns, Arthur?"
"Why, y' see I ain't—haven't got to the ads yet, Hermy."