Page:Barbour--Peggy in the rain.djvu/195

 "No, but if you got married she'd see it wasn't any use. Then maybe she—she'd consider me, what?" "Pete, you're a silly ass," said Gordon affectionately. "Take my word for it that Leona Morrill loves me just as much as she loves a snake." Peter shook his head, unconvinced. "Maybe. Anyhow, I guess I'll take a chance."

"Tell you what I'll do, Pete. I'll bet you a hundred she accepts you. What do you say?"

Peter cheered up. "Take you," he said promptly. "Make it five if you like."

"No, I don't want your money, old man. It's just for the sport."

Peter gravely made a memorandum in his book. "Hope I lose it," he said.

"If you do," said Gordon, "you'll be able to afford it."

"Look here," truculently, "if you think it's her money"

"Soothe yourself, Pete. I don't. What you're after is position."

"Go to the devil!" responded Peter with a grin.