Page:Delight - de la Roche - 1926.djvu/195

 burned the joint to a cinder. But it was good for business, for you couldn't have packed another man into the bar that night. Then Fergussen appeared and said he'd seen you going to the station before sunrise, and that you came out of Mayberry, the tailor's shop. Jim had been drinking a good deal in the afternoon, and he hit Fergussen fair on the mouth. Fergussen knocked him down. Then Bastien and Charley Bye put him out. Jimmy—"

"Oh, my own pore Jimmy!" broke in Delight, rocking her basket. "Pore lad!"

"Jimmy went straight to Mayberry's and asked him if it was true and the poor little man took his oath he'd never laid eyes on you. That didn't help him much, for Jimmy lifted him off his bench and gave him the finest beating he'd ever had. That done he took the train for the city and hasn't been haird of since. He told the station-master he'd walk the streets till he found you. But he'd soon change his mind when he sobered up, and by now he's happy with another lass you can be cairtain."

"But I'll never forget him, and mebbe when he doesn't find me in the city he'll come back to Brancepeth to look for me. Don't you think he might, Mr. Kirke?"

"Weel," agreed the Scot, "I should think he micht. His box with his clothes in it is still in his room. The room's vacant yet. Thing's aren't prosperous at The Duke of York. Lovering and I have left. We're stopping at The British American now."

"Oh," said Delight, trying to be agreeable, "and do you like it there?"

"It micht be better and it micht be worse. The house is dingy and dark, but the board is fair. I'm out to help Beemer improve it. You know, I have a nice dairy business stairted, and I've a produce shop now in connection with it. I supply Beemer with fresh eggs, milk, cheese,