Jones’s girl looked assent.
“Hard?”
She nodded again,—laughter-tears bedimming her young eyes.
“The villain!” breathed Billy; and throwing back his head, he showed two rows of magnificent teeth, while his mouth, though emitting no sound, went through all the movements of Homeric laughter.
“Will,” said she, turning towards him,—“Will,” said she, softly, as she raised her eyes admiringly to his frank and manly face, “you are the greatest goose in the world.”
“And you the dearest duck on earth.”
So, at least, they seemed to me to say; but perhaps—for I admit that they spoke in whispers—perhaps I say this less as a hearer than as a Seer.
CHAPTER XL.
“Where is Mr. Smith?” asked Mrs. Carter, as she helped the company to soup.
“Yes, where is he?” repeated Mr. Whacker, looking up in surprise. “Perhaps he does not know that we are at dinner.”