Part 45 (1/2)

Jane's face glowed a dull red, but she made no pretence of failing to understand Ethel's meaning. ”Oh, there is no nonsense of that kind with Larry,” she said. ”We are just good friends.”

”Good friends!” exclaimed Ethel indignantly. ”That's just where he is so awfully maddening. I can't understand him. He has lots of red blood, and he is a sport, too. But somehow he never knows a girl from her brother.

He treats me just the way he treats Bruce and Leslie. I often wonder what he would do if I kissed him. I've tried squeezing his hand.”

”Have you?” said Jane, with a delighted laugh. ”What did he do?”

”Why, he never knew it. I could have killed him,” said Ethel in disgust.

”He is going away to Chicago,” said Jane abruptly, ”to your friends, the Wakehams. Mr. Wakeham is in mines, as you know. Larry is to get two thousand dollars to begin with. It is a good position, and I am glad for him. Oh, there I see Mr. MacLean and Frank Smart coming in.”

When the party had settled down they discussed the Cla.s.s lists and prize winners till Dr. Brown appeared.

”Shall we have dinner soon, Jane?” he said as she welcomed him. ”I wish to get through with my work early so as to take in the big political meeting this evening. Mr. Allen is to speak and there is sure to be a crowd.”

”I shall have it served at once, Papa. Larry is coming, but we won't wait for him.”

They were half through dinner before Larry appeared. He came in looking worn, pale and thinner even than usual. But there was a gleam in his eye and an energy in his movements that indicated sound and vigorous health.

”You are not late, Larry,” said Jane; ”we are early. Papa is going to the political meeting.”

”Good!” cried Larry. ”So am I. You are going, Frank, and you, MacLean?”

”I don't know yet,” said MacLean.

”We are all due at Mrs. Allen's, Larry, you remember. It is a party for the Graduating Cla.s.s, too,” said Jane.

”So we are. But we can take in the political meeting first, eh, Mac?”

But MacLean glanced doubtfully at Ethel.

”I have just had a go with Holtzman,” said Larry, ”the German Socialist, you know. He was ramping and raging like a wild man down in front of the post office. I know him quite well. He is going to heckle Mr. Allen to-night.”

The girls were keen to take in the political meeting, but Larry objected.

”There will be a rough time, likely. It will be no place for ladies. We will take you to the party, then join you again after the meeting.”

The girls were indignant and appealed to Dr. Brown.

”I think,” said he, ”perhaps you had better not go. The young gentlemen can join you later, you know, at Allens' party.”

”Oh, we don't want them then,” said Ethel, ”and, indeed, we can go by ourselves to the party.”

”Now, Ethel, don't be naughty,” said Larry.

”I shall be very glad to take you to the party, Miss Murray,” said MacLean. ”I don't care so much for the meeting.”

”That will be fine, Mac!” exclaimed Larry enthusiastically. ”In this way neither they nor we will need to hurry.”

”Disgustingly selfish creature,” said Ethel, making a face at him across the table.

Jane said nothing, but her face fell into firmer lines and her cheeks took on a little colour. The dinner was cut short in order to allow Dr.

Brown to get through with his list of waiting patients.

”We have a few minutes, Ethel,” said Larry. ”Won't you give us a little Chopin, a nocturne or two, or a bit of Grieg?”