Page:Barbour--Peggy in the rain.djvu/193

 "I know." Peter wagged his head gravely. "You don't know women for a damn, Gordon."

"And you do, you fat-head?" jeered his friend.

"Better than that, anyway. If you asked her to marry you to-morrow she'd grab you." "If she did," replied the other grimly, "it would be so she could make my life a burden to me!"

"That's the only thing keeps me back," ruminated Peter. "If she wants you I dare say she'll turn up her nose at me, what?"

"If she does! Don't be a fool, Pete. I tell you she can't stand me around her."

"All right; your way. But—now, honest, would you try?"

"Why not, as you say? Only—I never knew you cared for her, Pete."

"We-ell, it's been sort of gradual. It's like drinking."

"Eh?"

"Starts in easy and you think you can quit any time you want to, and then you try and you can't let go to save your life. See what I mean? That way with me."

"Pete, you told me not over a year ago that