"Good heavens, what a tale!... Who told you? Archie? Just you see if I don't tweak that young man's ears!"
In her infinite relief the poor woman broke down utterly. She shook with the mingled gratitude and humiliation of my pardon.
"Louie Causton!" I scoffed. "You actually asked her that? Why, how she must have laughed!"
"Oh—you're wonderful, Jeff!" Kitty adored me.
"Oh," I replied, quickly recollecting myself, "don't think I'm not angry! I'll give that young man a jacket-dusting! He shall have a wedding present from me he'll remember, I promise you! Why, of all the mean tricks!..."
I went on. Presently Kitty had found me so wonderful that once more she could even toy a little with a peril.
"Louie wouldn't tell me ... who ... she said she'd die first...." she half sobbed by-and-by.
I looked into her little puffed eyes. "Then," I said, smiling, "you've only the word of a not very trustworthy woman for it that after all ... eh?"
A saint could hardly have cheapened the worshipping look she gave me.
"So," I resumed presently, "that was what ailed you all last night, when I was thinking all the time it was my uniform?"