“Tell me what you meant when you said that I was creating trouble for myself.�
“I would rather forget, now, what I had in mind then,� he replied.
“Why?�
“Because it seems a sacrilege even to mention it, now.�
“What was it? What did you mean?�
“I meant Red Mike.� The object of that remark started, and listened the more intently.
“Red Mike?� she exclaimed, amazed. “What of him?�
Instead of replying directly to the question, he asked another. He said:
“What do you suppose Red Mike would do now if he were to enter this room suddenly, and find you with your head upon my shoulder, and discover that I was holding one of your hands and stroking it?�
She shuddered and caught her breath.