"Still, I'll never believe ..."
The voices were lost in the crowd, and Ellen never knew who had spoken, but for the first time that afternoon her boredom was relieved. It was rather pleasant to have anyone think that Arthur Alce was turning to her from Joanna ... it would be a triumph indeed if he actually did turn ... for the first time she began to take an interest in him.
The crowd was very thick, and Alce offered her his arm.
"Hook on to me, or maybe I'll lose you."
Ellen did as he told her, and after a time he felt her weight increase.
"Reckon you're middling tired."
He looked down on her with a sudden pity—her little hand was like a kitten under his arm.
"Yes, I am rather tired." It was no pretence—such an afternoon, without the stimulant and sustenance of enjoyment, was exhausting indeed.
"Then we'll go home—reckon we've seen everything."
He piloted her out of the crush, and they went to the George, where the trap was soon put to. Ellen sat drooping along the Straight Mile.