“That was because,” said Aggie, “when the wagon started we all sat down unexpectedly, and——”
“Aggie!” Tish said, in a savage tone. “Now, young man, I want to say something to you, and I’d thank you——”
“Oh, I say!” he broke in, looking suddenly depressed, “I can see you are still down on me. But don’t scold me. Please don’t. Because I am a sensitive person, and you will ruin what was going to be a perfect day. I know I was wrong. I apologize. I eat my words. And now I’ll leave you, because if you should vanish into thin air again I should have to go and lock myself up.”
Well, with all his gaiety he did not look particularly gay, and he was rather hollow in the cheeks. I came to the conclusion that he was going to marry another young woman, partly to keep out of going to war, but partly to spite the first. I must say I felt rather sorry for him, especially when I saw the way he looked at her. Oh, yes, I picked her out at once, because she never took her eyes off him.
I didn’t think she was fooled much, either, because she looked as if she needed to go off into a corner and have a good cry. Well, she got her wish later, if that was what she wanted.
But Tish is a woman of one idea. While he chattered with one eye on the girl, Tish was eyeing him coldly. At last she caught him by the arm.
“I have something to say to you, young man,” she commenced. “I want to ask you what you think of any one who——”
“I beg your pardon,” he interrupted, and freed his arm. “Awfully sorry. I think a young lady over there wishes to speak to me.”
He left us briskly enough, but he slowed up before he got across the room. He stopped once and half turned, too, with the unhappiest face I’ve ever seen on a human being. Aggie was feeling in her knitting bag for the glasses.
“Is she pretty?” she asked.