Part 26 (1/2)
I did not go out into the Bay this tihbouring property, keeping at a safe distance froather at that particular part of the Crescent
I a and in splendid humour with myself, with my friends and even with Joe Clark
I did not notice an extra boat side the miscellaneous small craft at the wharf, so, when I stepped noiselessly into my front roo there, in the fading light, looking over my book shelves
She turned with an excla, although I fancied it just a little bit forced
”Oh!--it's you,” she cried ”I knew you wouldn't be very long away
Been having another try to see whether you're a man or a fish? Guess the fish in out if you're not careful”
She becaet dressed I just got to talk to you about sooodness! Is it as serious as all that, Miss Clark?” I quizzed
”Serious enough You go in and hurry, anyway”
”I won't be twoas quickly as possible, puzzling all the while as to what the girl had on herconnected with Joe,--I hadn't a doubt
”Well,--what's the trouble?” I asked, as I returned and sat down in a wicker chair opposite her
She seeo and scrap with Joe for?” she asked in a worried way
”I'm very sorry, Miss Clark----”
”Oh!--call me Rita,” she put in impatiently
”Well,--I'm very sorry,--Rita,--but I did not quarrel with Joe He quarrelled with me”
”It's all the same,” she replied ”Takes two to do it Couldn't you find another way than that?”
Her eyes were bright and her bosoht be friends; but I ht have known,” she went on bitterly ”He only makes friends with the men who lay down to him You ain't that sort”
I threw out my hands helplessly
”Well, Rita, don't you worry your little head over it It is all right”
”Oh, no, it ain't! Don't fool yourself You don't know Joe”
”I reckoned him a man who could keep his own counsel How did you come to hear there had been any words?”
”He was over ho but talk about you Called you all kinds of things Says he'll fix you good;--and he will, too, or he ain't the Joe Clark everybody knows around here”
Her eyes became tender and moist as she held out her hands to me with an involuntary movement ”Oh! what did you want to quarrel with hi about hihtly on her shoulder, as I would with a little sister,--had I had one,--for she seeirl and it hurt me to see her so upset