Part 25 (1/2)

”You don't mind him staying here? He's my best friend, and we haven't met for years! He won't be any trouble. He's a fine chap!”

”Of course I don't mind.” She avoided his eyes. ”Peg was giving me a lecture only this evening about you! She said I did nothing for you in return for all you've done for us. She said that I ought to entertain your friends.” She laughed rather sadly. ”You know I can't do anything like that properly, don't you?”

A little gleam crept into his eyes.

”You could do all that I want in that way,” he said. ”But it's not Peg's place to lecture you,” he added hardily.

Faith rushed to Peg's defence.

”She meant it so awfully well. She's always sticking up for you. She says that she likes fair play....” She paused. ”So do I,” she added with difficulty. ”And--and I'm afraid I haven't played fair since--since--well, you know.”

There was a little silence. The Beggar Man's eyes never left her face, and there was a queer, hungry look in their blueness.

”You're not--I suppose you're not trying to tell me that--that you don't hate me so much--after all, eh?” he asked with an effort.

She drew back a step in alarm.

”I am only trying to tell you that--that I know how much you've done for us all, and that if there was anything--any little thing I could do to please you ...” She faltered and stopped.

There was an eloquent silence.

”Well--I should like you to kiss me,” Forrester said bluntly. He paused.

”Or is that too big a thing to ask?” for Faith had put out protesting hands, and he laughed.

”It's too much, eh? Oh, all right! Don't bother!” He pa.s.sed her without another word and walked out of the room whistling.

They had quite a merry evening.

”Anyone would think Mr. Digby had known us all for years and years,” Peg said afterwards to Faith as the girls went up to bed together. ”I like him awfully, don't you?”

Faith nodded, ”Yes.” She did like him, but all the evening she had felt vaguely uncomfortable, conscious of his eyes upon her.

”I wonder how long he means to stay,” she hazarded.

”The longer the better,” Peg declared bluntly. ”If he's here Mr.

Forrester will have to be at home.” And then, as if scared by some possible admission in her words, she added, ”It makes it so much more lively....”

Downstairs a little silence had followed the girls' departure, which Peter Digby broke with a half-sigh.

”Wish I was married,” he said laconically. ”I've been looking for a girl like your wife for the last ten years, Nick!”

Forrester laughed.

”There are plenty of girls in the world,” he said.

”Yes, but not the right sort,” Digby objected. ”Where did you meet her?”