Part 50 (1/2)
”Some pretty patent leather shoes with rhinestone buckles----”
”Yes----”
”And a black velvet hat and nice _lingerie_----” (Beth p.r.o.nounced it lingery).
”Of course. And the piano----”
”Oh, yes. A piano and books--lots of books.”
”And a red automobile?”
”Oh, I wouldn't dare wish for that.”
”Why not? It's just as easy to wish for an automobile as a piano.”
”Yes, I suppose so.” She became immediately grave again. ”But I can't seem to believe it all. I'm afraid.”
”Of what?”
”Of Hawk Kennedy. I feel that he's going to make trouble for us all, Mr.
Nichols. I'm afraid. I always seem to feel things before they happen.
Any man who could do what he did--murder!”
”There will be some way to get around him.”
”But it's dangerous. I don't feel I've got the right to let you do this for me.”
”Oh, yes, you have. I'd do it anyhow. It's only justice.”
”But suppose he--suppose----”
”What----?”
”He might kill you, too.”
Peter laughed. ”Not a chance. You see, I wasn't born to die a violent death. If I had been, I'd have been dead months ago.”
”Oh--the war, you mean?” she asked soberly.
”Yes--the war. Everything is tame after that. I'm not afraid of Hawk Kennedy.”
”But there's danger just the same.”
”I hope not. I won't cross that bridge until I come to it.”
Beth was silent for a long moment and then with a glance at the clock on the mantel slowly gathered her music, aware of his voice close at her ear.
”And if I do this, Beth,--if I get what belongs to you, will you believe that I have no motive but friends.h.i.+p for you, that I care for you enough to want you to forgive me for what has happened?”
He had caught her fingers in his own but she did not try to release them.