Part 44 (2/2)

”Pooh!” says Vee. ”You're not a bit richer than I am.”

”Boy, page the auditin' committee!” says I. ”How strong do you tally up?”

”I'm sure I don't know,” says she. ”Neither do you, Mister Torchy.”

”Oh, yes, I do,” says I. ”I've got just the same as you.”

Vee runs out the tip of her tongue at me.

”That's the sort of disposition,” says she, ”which goes with red hair.”

”Towhead yourself!” says I. ”What kind of a scramble has the cook got on the eggs to-day?”

”You'd better order soft-boiled,” says Vee. ”I'll open them for you.”

”Will you?” says I. ”Just this once, or does that stand?”

”This--this is so abrupt!” says Vee, snickerin'.

”You tell it well,” says I. ”Just as though I hadn't been doin' my best to dodge the net! But what chance has a man got when he's cornered at breakfast and she offers to-- Ouch!”

Vee springs one of them boardin'-school tricks of hers, shootin' a teaspoonful of water accurate across the table.

”Rough-houser!” says I, moppin' my eye with the napkin. ”If your Auntie can't train you, maybe she'll let me try.”

”Oh, no doubt she would,” says Vee.

”I might ask her,” I suggests.

”I'd love to be around when you did,” says she, rollin' her eyes impish.

”Meanin' I wouldn't dare, eh?” says I.

Vee only dabbles her pink finger-ends in the little gla.s.s bowl, and chuckles like she was rememberin' something funny.

”Suppose I did and got away with it?” I asks.

Vee gives me a quizzin' glance from them gray eyes, one of the kind that sort of warms me up under my vest.

”I couldn't decorate you with the Victoria Cross,” says she.

”But would you take a chance on the results?” I asks.

”One of the silly things I've learned from you,” says Vee, lowerin' her eyelids fetchin', ”is to--to take a chance.”

”Vee!” says I, startin' to dash around the table.

”Hus.h.!.+” says she, wavin' me hack. ”Here come your eggs.”

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