Part 5 (2/2)
”Why,” he replied, not taking his eyes from her face, ”so you have!”
They both laughed.
Across the room Miss Ethyl coughed twice. ”I always say,” she observed to her customer, ”a workin'-girl can't be too careful of her actions.
That's why I am of a retiring disposition and don't try to force myself on n.o.body.”
Mr. Chase regarded the shadows beneath Miss Sprunt's eyes with a pucker between his own.
”You don't get much of the springtime in here, do you, Miss Sprunt?”
”No,” she replied, smiling faintly. ”The only way we can tell the seasons down here is by the midwinter Elks convention and the cloak drummers who come to buy fur coats in July.”
”You poor little girl,” he said, slowly. ”What you need is air--good, wholesome air, and plenty of it.”
”Oh, I get along all right,” she said, biting at her nether lip.
”You're confined too closely, Miss Sprunt.”
”Life isn't all choice,” she replied, briefly.
”Forgive me,” he said.
”I walk home sometimes,” she said.
”You're fond of walking?”
”Yes, when I'm not too tired.”
”Miss Sprunt, would--would you walk with me this evening? I know a quiet little place where we could dine together.”
”Oh,” she said, ”I--I already have an engagement. I--”
She colored with surprise.
”You have an engagement?” His tones were suddenly flat.
”No,” she replied, in tones of sudden decision, ”I'd be pleased to go with you. I can do what I planned to-night any other time.”
”Thank you, Miss Sprunt.”
Her fingers trembled as she worked, and his suddenly closed over them.
”You poor, tired little girl,” he repeated.
She gulped down her emotions.
”Miss Sprunt, this is neither the time nor the place for me to express myself, yet somehow our great moments come when we least expect them.”
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