Page:Conflict (1927).pdf/137

 hurt the pretty letters. Oh, look, Hunt! It's her name! I hadn't noticed that before. Did he make it for her all himself?' she mocked.

Sheilah, without so much as a glance at Peggy, proceeded to fold the now torn and crumpled wrapping-paper around the box again.

Peggy continued, 'That's right, don't let it catch cold.'

Hunt snickered out loud at that.

'Oh, shut up,' said Nevin from behind the wheel.

Sheilah didn't go out with Nevin alone in the car that night, after all.

She was still clasping Felix's box when her eyes first encountered Nevin's, five minutes after he had ordered silence. He was standing on the curbing by the open door of the car as she stepped out in front of the fraternity house. They were alone for a minute, Peggy and the others having escaped as hastily as possible up the long walk to the door.

He said politely, 'Shall I take it for you?' referring with a nod to Felix's box. The wrapping-paper folded about it was flapping awkwardly in the breeze, and what with the heavy fur coat Sheilah was attempting to carry at the same time, she was obviously overburdened.

'No, thank you,' she replied, instinctively com-