Part 19 (2/2)
”You jumped!” said Ruth. ”You jerked my head. Do you think I didn't know you had noticed it? I knew how unhappy you were when Mr. Jardine was here, and I just hated myself.”
”Didn't you like Hank?” asked Kirk.
Ruth was silent for a moment.
”I wish you would,” Kirk went on. ”You don't know what a real white man old Hank is. You didn't see him properly that night. He was nervous.
But he's one of the very best G.o.d ever made. We've known each other all our lives. He and I----”
”Don't tell me!” cried Ruth. ”Don't you see that that's just the reason why I can't like him? Don't tell me about the things you and he did together, unless you want me to hate him. Don't you understand, dear?
It's the same with all your friends. I'm jealous of them for having known you before I did. And I hate these models because they come into a part of your life into which I can't. I want you all to myself. I want to be your whole life. I know it's idiotic and impossible, but I do.”
”You are my whole life,” said Kirk seriously. ”I wasn't born till I met you. There isn't a single moment when you are not my whole life.”
She pressed her head contentedly against his arm.
”Kirk.”
”Yes?”
”Let _me_ pose for your picture.”
”What! You couldn't!”
”Why not?”
”It's terribly hard work. It's an awful strain.”
”I'm sure I'm as strong as that Vince girl. You ask Steve; he's seen me throw the medicine-ball.”
”But posing is different. Hilda Vince has been trained for it.”
”Well let me try, at any rate.”
”But----”
”Do! And I'll promise to like your Hank and not put on my grand manner when he begins telling me what fun you and he used to have in the good old days before I was born or thought of. May I?”
”But----”
”Quick! Promise!”
”Very well.”
”You dear! I'll be the best model you ever had. I won't move a muscle, and I'll stand there till I drop.”
”You'll do nothing of the kind. You'll come right down off that model-throne the instant you feel the least bit tired.”
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