Part 4 (2/2)
Her eyes were blue like the sky when you look straight up, and a smile trembled on her lips. Ten minutes later Mr. Barker, dust-begrimed and enveloped in a long linen duster, swaggered in. He peeled off his stout gloves; his fingers were black-rimmed and grease-splotched.
”Mornin', sis; here's a fine job for you. Took an unexpected business trip ten miles out, and the bloomin' spark-plug got to cuttin' up like a balky horse.”
He crammed his gloves and goggles into s.p.a.cious pockets and looked at Miss Gertrude with warming eyes.
”Durned if you ain't lookin' pert as a mornin'-glory to-day!”
She took his fingers on her hand and regarded them reprovingly.
”Shame on you, Mr. Barker, for getting yourself so mussed up!” cried Miss Sprunt.
”Looks like I need somebody to take care of me, doan it, sis?”
”Yes,” she agreed, unblus.h.i.+ngly.
Once in warm water, his hands exuded the odor of gasolene. She sniffed like a horse scenting the turf.
”I'd rather have a whiff of an automobile,” she remarked, ”than of the best attar of roses on the market.”
”You ain't forgot about to-night, sis?”
She lowered her eyes.
”No, I haven't forgotten.”
”There ain't nothin' but a business engagement can keep me off. I gotta big deal on, and I may be too busy to-night, but we'll go to-morrow sure.”
”That'll be all right, Mr. Barker; business before pleasure.”
”I'm pretty sure it'll be to-night, though. I--I don't like to have to wait too long.”
He reached across the table suddenly and gripped hold of her working arm.
”Say, kiddo, I like you.”
”Silly!” she said, softly.
”I ain't foolin'.”
”I'll be ready at six,” she said, lightly. ”If you can't come let me know.”
”I ain't the sort to do things snide,” he said. ”If I can't come I'll put you wise, all right.”
”You certainly know how to treat a girl,” she said.
”Let me get to likin' a goil, and there ain't nothin' I won't do for her.”
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