“Do not trouble yourself, Miss Genevieve. I hope I shall pull through all right. If not–”
“No, you shall not! I’ll go myself!”
“See here, Miss Leslie,” said Blake, somewhat sternly; “who’s got the responsibility of keeping you two alive for the next month or so? I’ve been in the tropics before, and I know something of the way people have to live to get out again. I’m trying to do my best, and I tell you straight, if you won’t mind me, I’m going to make you, no matter how much it hurts your feelings. You see how nice and meek Win takes his orders. I explained matters to him last night–”
“I assure you, Blake, you shall have no cause for complaint as to my conduct,” muttered Winthrope. “I should like to observe, however, that in speaking to Miss Leslie–”
“There you are again, with your everlasting talk. Cut it out, and get busy. To-morrow we all go on a hike to the river.”
As Winthrope started off, Blake turned to Miss Leslie, with a good-natured grin.
“You see, it’s this way, Miss Jenny–” he began. He caught her look of disdain, and his face darkened. “Mad, eh? So that’s the racket!”
“Mr. Blake, I will not have you talk to me in that way. Mr. Winthrope is a gentleman, but nothing more to me than a friend such as any young woman–”
“That settles it! I’ll take your word for it, Miss Jenny,” broke in Blake, and springing up, he set about his work, whistling.
The girl gazed at his broad back and erect head, uncertain whether she should feel relieved or anxious. The more she thought the matter over, the more uncertain she became, and the more she wondered at her uncertainty. Could it be possible that she was becoming interested in a man who, if her ears had not deceived her– But no! That could not be possible!