Part 41 (1/2)
There was a pause--a long pause. Elsie was thinking--of what, she hardly knew. Pip was watching her, anxious to see how she received his great idea. Presently he continued,--
”Of course the golf-match is all in your favour. The chances are about three to one on your winning.”
Suddenly Elsie flared up with a curious little spirit of anger. Her mind, highly trained though it was in these matters, could not quite appreciate Pip's Quixotic consideration for an opponent.
”Pip,” she said, ”I don't believe you _want_ to win! The whole thing is simply a joke on your part--your idea of a joke. I don't think it's a very nice one: you know you can't beat me. If you really want to marry me you wouldn't--”
”I shall beat you all right,” said Pip simply.
”Why?”
”I know I shall, that's all.”
”Why?”
”Because I _know_.”
A new idea occurred to Elsie.
”You dare to insinuate,” she said, ”that I would--would purposely let you--”
”Should I want to marry a girl of that sort?” asked Pip gravely.
Elsie softened again at this genuine compliment, but she still felt rather doubtful as to whether this extraordinary young man really and truly believed that she was to be won, and won only, by being beaten in a golf-match. In any case the situation was becoming difficult. She began to dust the sand from her skirt and to make other preparations for departure. Pip regarded her with some concern.
”You're not going yet, are you?” he said.
”Yes. It's getting late.”
”Well, will you play me?”
”On those terms?”
”Yes.”
”Of course not, Pip. You're not serious.”
Pip leaned forward, and put his hand on her arm. She had half risen, but she now found herself sitting down again, rather astonished and rebellious, listening to what he was saying.
”Elsie, what is the date to-morrow?”
”I don't know,” petulantly. ”Girls never know dates.”
”I forgot that. Well, it is the fourteenth of August. Do you know what is going to happen at Old Trafford to-morrow?”
”Why--the Australians! Fancy forgetting a Test Match! That comes of playing golf all day. But, Pip,”--she stared at him in dismayed surprise,--”why aren't you there? Surely you were chosen?”
”Yes, I was chosen.”
”Then, why aren't you there?”