"I just called to say I couldn't come for a walk with you this afternoon," he said, looking on the ground. "You see I have an appointment."
"Appointment!" cried the girl. "Who with?"
"Oh, with no one in particular; only I must keep it."
The girl's eyes flashed angrily. "Look here," she cried, "you are still sweet on Alice Lister; I thought you had given up all that Sunday-school lot."
"Well, I have noan been to Sunday School," said Tom.
"Ay, but you're going to meet Alice Lister now, and that is why you can't go wi' me." Evidently the girl was very angry, and a look of jealousy flashed from her eyes. Still there could be no doubt that she was very fond of Tom and meant if possible to capture him.
"I can't go out wi' you this afternoon, and—and——but there, I'm off."
For a moment the girl seemed on the point of speaking to him still more angrily, and perhaps of bidding him to leave her for good. She quickly altered her mind, however, and seemed determined to use all her blandishments.
"Ay, Tom," she said. "Tha'rt too good to throw thyself away on the goody-goody Alice Lister sort. Tha'rt too much of a man for that, else I should never have got so fond of thee."
"Art'a really fond of me, Polly?" asked Tom, evidently pleased by
Polly's confession.