Page:Herbert Jenkins - The Rain Girl.djvu/202

 "Am I?" he asked, selecting with great deliberation a lump of sugar, and holding it poised over the tea until it was slowly discoloured.

"You would make a very trying" she broke off suddenly and dropped her eyes.

"But you haven't answered my question." He pretended not to notice either her embarrassment or her flushed cheeks.

"Didn't I?" Her gaze was fixed upon a black cat that was making a great business of stalking a sparrow.

"You're merely trying to gain time."

"Am I?"

"You know you are."

"Why should I want to gain time?" Her gaze was still on the black cat which, having raised its bird when fully four yards away, was looking about expectantly like Elijah in the desert—for more birds. "Why should I want to gain time?" she repeated as Beresford remained silent. She still avoided his eyes.

"Possibly to spare my feelings," he replied, watching her closely.

"Or save my reputation," she retorted.

"Is it as bad as that?"

"What, my reputation?" She stole a glance at him; but finding his gaze upon her dropped her eyes instantly.

"No, the situation."

Again she was looking at the black cat.