“You mean about getting on? Oh, you mustn't talk like that. Of course you care, and all your friends care, too. We like to see you get ahead. Jess's brother told me when you got to be captain, and I was kind of proud of you.”
The mention of Jess bothered Hunch, though he replied, “Was you really?” and tried to smile.
Mamie was looking at him with a friendly expression in her eyes that he did not quite understand. He thought at first that she was laughing at him. But then she smiled, and said with a little hesitation:
“I didn't know but what you mightn't like what—the little surprise we had last night, you know.”
“Oh, yes; I did all right.”
“Well, but I thought afterward that maybe we oughtn't to have done it. It was father's idea. He feels real bad about—about you and Jess. And she's an awfully nice girl.”
“Yes,” said Hunch, “there ain't no doubt about that.”
Mamie hesitated again, and then, when Hunch did not speak, they both became embarrassed.
“I've wondered sometimes, if you knew,” she said at length, “if you really thought Jess was the only one to blame. It was just as much her folks—her brother, you know—he was worried about it, and he tried to keep her from going on with you.”
“Yes, I know. He told me that.”