Page:Conflict (1927).pdf/136

 laughed Peggy, waving on high the enameled darning-ball with the handle.

Sheilah ought to have laughed, she supposed, as she thought of the episode afterwards, made light of the joke-making, but she couldn't—she simply couldn't with that old queer feeling of loyalty to Felix, pressing and pushing again. Very quietly she said, 'Please just put them back in the box.' So quietly, in fact, that a pall fell upon the merrymaking group.

'Gosh! She's peeved, boys!' ejaculated Peggy.

'Will you let me get in?' asked Sheilah, in the same deadly calm voice. The boys fell back and she stepped up into the car.

'No need of getting mad,' said Peggy. 'I swear I thought it was candy. I'm awfully sorry.'

Sheilah sat down. 'Please give the box to me,' she said, with no sign of relenting.

'Oh, take it! Take your old box!' exclaimed Peggy. If she wouldn't accept an apology, very well!

Sheilah took it, with the dignity it seemed to her a gift, bought at such a price, deserved. In a sort of protecting manner, too, picking out a bit of stray material from the jumble inside, and tossing it away, then putting down the cover and brushing her hand over the inlay work, as if to make sure it had suffered no injury.

'Oh, don't be afraid,' flashed Peggy, 'we haven't