Part 36 (2/2)
”'What! There isn't much to tell. We studied. Jack went to the law school, and I attended--er--oh, all sorts of schools.'
”'Did you? Surely you gave yourself a little recreation occasionally?'
”'Occasionally,' I nodded.
”'I am afraid you and Jack studied too hard.'
”'That may be,' said I, looking meek.
”'Especially about fossils.'
”I couldn't stand that.
”'Miss Holroyd,' I said, 'I do care for fossils. You may think that I am a humbug, but I have a perfect mania for fossils--now.'
”'Since when?'
”'About an hour ago,' I said, airily. Out of the corner of my eye I saw that she had flushed up. It pleased me.
”'You will soon tire of the experiment,' she said, with a dangerous smile.
”'Oh, I may,' I replied, indifferently.
”She drew back. The movement was scarcely perceptible, but I noticed it, and she knew I did.
”The atmosphere was vaguely hostile. One feels such mental conditions and changes instantly. I picked up a chess-board, opened it, set up the pieces with elaborate care, and began to move, first the white, then the black. Miss Holroyd watched me coldly at first, but after a dozen moves she became interested and leaned a shade nearer. I moved a black p.a.w.n forward.
”'Why do you do that?' said Daisy.
”'Because,' said I, 'the white queen threatens the p.a.w.n.'
”'It was an aggressive move,' she insisted.
”'Purely defensive,' I said. 'If her white highness will let the p.a.w.n alone, the p.a.w.n will let the queen alone.'
”Miss Holroyd rested her chin on her wrist and gazed steadily at the board. She was flus.h.i.+ng furiously, but she held her ground.
”'If the white queen doesn't block that p.a.w.n, the p.a.w.n may become dangerous,' she said, coldly.
”I laughed, and closed up the board with a snap.
”'True,' I said, 'it might even take the queen.' After a moment's silence I asked, 'What would you do in that case, Miss Holroyd?'
”'I should resign,' she said, serenely; then, realizing what she had said, she lost her self-possession for a second, and cried: 'No, indeed! I should fight to the bitter end! I mean--'
”'What?' I asked, lingering over my revenge.
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