"No, no!" she cried. "Why!—you are under doctor's orders."
"I have to work to-morrow, Rita, so I might as well try myself out now, as later."
I was shaky at the knees, but, with Rita's arm round my waist, I managed to make the journey with little trouble.
As we got to her boat, Rita pouted.
"What's the matter now, little maid?" I asked.
"I don't think you like me any more, George,—after bringing this on you. And we've been pretty good pals too, you and I."
Her eyes commenced to fill.
"Why, foolish! Of course, we have been good pals and we are going to stay good pals right to the end; no matter what happens."
"Sure?" she asked, taking an upward, sidelong glance at me.
"Sure as that," I exclaimed. I put my hands round her trim waist, and, weak as I was, I lifted her up from the ground and kissed her laughing mouth.