Part 47 (1/2)

”Such a nice fire!” I said, happily, my face on Bill's one unscarred shoulder.

”You little wretch!”

He kissed me again.

Norah arrived with a very early breakfast. I twisted in Bill's hold.

To no avail. Bar, again, such strong bars, so tender, so utterly protective.

”What's the matter?”

”Norah--”

”But,” said Bill in triumph, after the door had been shut behind the smiling woman, ”after all, Mavis, we're married!”

”Why, so we are!”

I sat up in bed and stared at him.

”It's not fair!” said I, hotly.

”What?”

”We've not even been engaged,” I said, ”or anything. I don't like it!”

”Don't you, honestly?”

I shook my head, and then nodded, violently.

”You darling!” said my new Bill. ”You lovely little thing. I adore you--”

”Why didn't you tell me so before?” I asked, in what was a deplorably peevish tone.

”Tell you! And get my face slapped! You were the p.r.i.c.kliest small porcupine, for all your soft ways--rather not! But Gosh,” said Bill, ”it was hard--”

”You might have saved us a lot of trouble,” said I reproachfully.

He got to his feet and sat on the edge of the bed.

”Might I? I didn't know, you see. I had had your repeated a.s.surance that you regarded me as dirt under your little feet. How could I tell you?”

”You were awfully stupid!” said I, with keen satisfaction.

But he was kissing my finger-tips, protruding stiffly through the neat bandaging.

”Dear little hands!” he said. ”Oh, Mavis--if anything had happened to you--”

”If anything had happened to _you_--!” said I, and for a moment we looked at each other in a sort of blind horror. Presently he smiled.

”But we're as right as rain!” said he. ”We're young, all life before us--and we love each other--Thank G.o.d!” he ended, on a deep, grave note.

”Thank G.o.d!” said I, and put my arms up to him.