And, "There!" she falters, out o' breath, "there's for you, friend Nicholas!"
"My God!" says he, in foolish amaze, "why do you that, Penelope!"
"I kiss whom I please and none other!" says she, fast breathing, and her dark eyes wide and bright.
"Whom you please," quoth Nick, abashed but putting a bold face on it—"well then, you please me, and therefore ought to kiss me——"
"No, I will not! John Drogue hath shown me what is my privilege in this idle game of bussing which men seem so ready to play with me, whether I will or no!... Have I hurt you, Nick?"
She came up to him, still flushed and her childish bosom still rising and falling fast.
"You love Jack Drogue," said he, sulkily, "and therefore belabour me who dote on you."
"I love you both," said she, "but I am enamoured of neither. Also, I desire no kisses of you or of Mr. Drogue, but only kindness and good will."
"You entertain a passion for Steve Watts!" he muttered sullenly, "and there's the riddle read for you!"
But she laughed in his face and took up her pan of crullers and set them on the shelf.