"He wouldn't wait a minute," explained Hugh apologetically, when he and Mat returned to the girls.
Ivy curled her lip.
"There's a great deal in the way things are asked," she said, and Hugh knew she was offended.
"Who wouldn't run away from a lot of girls ready to slobber over him with thanks and prayers?" said Mat with a broad grin.
"As if we would make him a courtesy and say, 'Thank you, sir, for saving my life!'" retorted Ivy.
Hugh busied himself picking up the tins and the upset buckets. He sympathized with Mark's dislike of a scene.
"Any of you fellows would have done the same if you had the chance," the latter had said.
"Did she expect us to bring a fellow by the coat collar to be thanked? Girls are queer, they always enjoy fussing and the limelight," concluded Hugh. He kept resolutely away from them.
"What's the matter with Hugh?" whispered Laura after a time.
"Why?"