Once Aboard the Lugger Part 22

Had a bit of fizz on board him now--_you_ know; didn't care a rip for anybody. Gave her a smacking great kiss, and, by Gad!--well, she _was_ all right. Told him she'd always stood off up to then because she was never quite sure what he meant--afraid he didn't mean anything, and that she might get herself into no end of a row if she started playing around. Same with this little bit of goods, I'll lay."

Bob was interested. "Shouldn't be surprised if you're right," he said; and moodily cogitated upon the line of action prescribed.

Mr. Moss offered to bet that where girls were concerned he was never far wrong. "Slap-dash style is what they like," he remarked, and with a careless "It's all they understand" dismissed the subject.

It remained, however, in Bob's mind throughout the evening; sprang instantly when, after breakfast upon the following day, he caught a glimpse of Mary as he prepared for the City.

Standing for a moment in the hall, it occurred to him that this very evening offered the opportunity he sought. Mr. and Mrs. Chater were to dine at the house of a neighbour. The invitation had included Bob-- fortunately he had refused it. Returning to the morning-room, "I shan't be in to-night," he told his mother.

"Then I needn't order any dinner for you?"

"No." He hung about irresolute, then lit a cigar, and between the puffs, "Shall you be late?" he asked carelessly.

"Sure to be," Mrs. Chater told him. "It's going to be a big bridge drive, you know. We shan't get back before midnight. Don't sit up for us, dear."

Bob inhaled a long breath from his cigar, exhaled it deliciously. The chance for the slap-dash style was at hand.

"Oh, I'll be later than you. Lemmy Moss has got a bachelors' party on.

We're going to have a billiard match."

"That's capital then, dear. I shall let the servants go to Earl's Court--I've promised them a long time."

Bob whistled gaily as he mounted his 'bus for the City. The opportunity was surely exceptional.

At eight o'clock he returned; noiselessly let himself in.

The gas in the hall burned low. Beneath the library door gleamed a stronger light. Bob turned the handle.

Mary was curled in a big chair with a book. Certainly the opportunity was exceptional.

At the noise of his entry she sprang to her feet with a little cry.

"Oh, dear!" she exclaimed: "what a fright you gave me!"

Bob pushed the door. He laughed. "Did I?"; came towards her. "Are you all alone? What a shame!"

"Minnie is in the kitchen, I think. Mrs. Chater said you wouldn't be in to-night."

"Why do you think I came?"

"I don't know."

"I came to see you."

She gave a nervous little laugh and made to pa.s.s him.

Bob fell back a pace, guarding the door. "Don't you think that was thoughtful of me?"

"I don't know what you mean. There was no need."

"What! No need! You all alone like this when all the rest are enjoying themselves!"

"So was I. A long evening with a book."

She had fallen back as he, speaking, had slowly advanced.

Now the great chair in which she had been seated was alone between them.

"Oh, books! Books are rot." He stepped around the chair.

She fell back; was cornered between the hearth and a low table.

Bob dropped into the chair; boldly regarded her; his eyes as expressive of his slap-dash intentions as he could make them: "Look here, I want you to enjoy yourself for once. I'm going to take you to a music-hall or somewhere."

He stretched a foot; touched her.

She drew back close against the mantelpiece, her agitation very evident.

"Well, don't that please you?"

"You know it is impossible."

Bob paid no regard. This was that same diffidence with which the chap near Wimbledon had had to contend.

"We'll come out of the show early and have a bit of supper and be back before half-past eleven. Who's to know? Now, then?"

"It's very kind of you. I know you mean it kindly--"

"Of course I do--"

"But I'd rather not."

"Are you afraid?"

She was desperately afraid. Her face, the shaking of her hand where it was pressed back against the wall, and the catch in her voice advertised her apprehension. She was afraid of this big young man confidently lolling before her.

She said weakly: "It would not be right."

Bob sat up. "Is that all?" he laughed. His hands were upon the arms of the chair, and he made to pull himself up towards her.

She saw her mistake. "No," she cried hurriedly--"no; I would not go with you in any case."

A shadow flickered upon Bob's face. "What do you mean?"

"I mean what I say. Please let me pa.s.s."

"I want to be friends with you. Why can't you let me?"

"Please let me pa.s.s. Mr. Chater."