“You think I don’t care for you,” whimpered Lizzie. “Every one knows I gave up Joe Forster just for you; and he’s got his own tobacco business and keeps an assistant.”
The main part of which statement was not exactly in accordance with facts. But Goddard was not in the current of local gossip, and did not suspect his sweetheart’s veracity.
“Then you’ll forgive me, and we’ll make it up?”
“You don’t want to break it off?”
“I? Good gracious, no. Why, Liz!”
There was another pause. They were in the middle of the High Street. Knots of loafers hung around the blazing entrances of the public-houses, but otherwise the pavement was more or less deserted.
“Why don’t you put your arm round my waist, then?” said Lizzie softly.
Goddard did as he was bidden. She laughed out loud at his shy awkwardness, and pulled his fingers tighter round her figure.
“One’d say I was the only girl you’d ever walked out with.”
“Well, you are,” replied Goddard simply. “I never bothered much with girls till I knew you.”