Page:Caroline Lockhart--The Fighting Shepherdess.djvu/315

 " You do it often, and it's an annoying mannerism."

" Do you quite realize what you are asking? " his wife demanded.

" Perfectly," replied Mr. Pantin, calmly. " I've passed the stage when I talk to make conversation."

" But think how she's been criticised! "

Mr. Pantin got up impatiently.

" Oh, you virtuous dames — "

Mrs. Pantin's thin lips went shut like a rat-trap.

"Abram, are you twitting me?"

Mr. Pantin ignored the accusation, and observed astutely :

" I presume you've done your share of talking, and that's why"

" She is impossible, and what you ask is impossible,'* Mrs. Pantin declared firmly.

" It's not often that I ask a favor of you. Prissy." His tone was conciliatory.

Mrs. Pantin met him half way and her voice was softer as she answered:

"I appreciate that, Abram, but there are a few of us who must keep up the bars against such persons. Society "

" Rats! " ejaculated Mr. Pantin coarsely.

The hand which she had laid tenderly upon his shoulder was withdrawn as if it harbored a hornet.

"I don't understand this at all — not at all," she said, icily. "However," very distinctly, "it is not necessary that I should, for I shall not do it." She folded her arms as she confronted him.

Mr. Pantin was silent so long that she thought the battle was over, and purred at him:

"You can realize how I feel about it, can't you, darling? "