“I've been telling Miss Arthur what good care you took of me,” said Hal to Rosa. “She wanted to come and thank you for it.”
“Yes,” added Jessie, graciously. “Anybody who is good to Hal earns my gratitude.”
Rosa started to murmur something; but Little Jerry broke in, with his cheerful voice, “Why you call him Hal? His name's Joe!”
“Ssh!” cried Rosa. But Hal and Jessie laughed—and so the process of Americanising Little Jerry was continued.
“I've got lots of names,” said Hal. “They called me Hal when I was a kid like you.”
“Did she know you then?” inquired Little Jerry.
“Yes, indeed.”
“Is she your girl?”
Rosa laughed shyly, and Jessie blushed, and looked charming. She realised vaguely a difference in manners. These people accepted the existence of “girls,” not concealing their interest in the phenomenon.
“It's a secret,” warned Hal. “Don't you tell on us!”