Part 44 (2/2)
”I'm wonderin' 'why', an' I'm likewise wonderin' 'who', Bud. Maybe I'll find out for sure some day. I'm--waitin', Bud, waitin'. Goin' around t'
O'Rourke's, are ye? Oh, well, I guess I'll hike along wid ye, Bud.”
CHAPTER XIX
IN WHICH THE POISON BEGINS TO WORK
Spike sat glowering at the newspaper, yet very conscious, none the less, that Hermione often turned to glance at him wistfully as she bustled to and fro; at last she spoke.
”Arthur, dear--why so gloomy?”
”I ain't--I mean, I'm not.”
”You're not sulking about anything?”
”No.”
”Then you're sick.”
”I'm all right.”
”But you didn't enjoy your dinner a little bit.”
”I--I wasn't hungry, I guess,” said Spike, frowning down at the paper.
But Hermione was beside him, her cool fingers caressing his curls.
”Boy, dear--what is it?”
”Say, Hermy, where'd you get them roses?” and he nodded to the flowers she had set among her s.h.i.+ning hair.
”Oh, Mr. Geoffrey brought them.”
”Been here, has he?”
”Yes, he came in with Ann this morning--why?”
”Did he--did he stay long?”
”N-o, I don't think so--why?”
”Comes round here pretty often, don't he?”
”Why, you see, he's your friend, dear, and we are very near neighbours.”
”Oh, I know all that, but--folks are beginning to--talk.”
Hermione's smooth brows were wrinkled faintly and her caressing hand had fallen away.
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