Page:Jackson Gregory--joyous trouble maker.djvu/170

154 delectable morsel. Her eyes were dancing quite as though she would a great deal rather be here doing just what she was doing than anywhere else he could think of. Both dimples were there … very much there, he thought …

"Poor little daughter of the rich," he said, and it struck her that his voice was strangely gentle for him, "you'd have amounted to something if you'd only had half a chance."

"I thought," objected Beatrice, having swallowed, "that it was your plan to make me over into what I should be. You spoke very eloquently in that vein the day I first saw you."

"But that was long ago," he said, watching her very keenly. "Much may happen in twenty-six days …"

"Twenty-four," corrected Beatrice. And then she could have bitten her tongue out. For again the laughter leaped up in his eyes and she knew that he had tricked her and her face was hot. For an instant she could not hold her eyes steady on his.

"So you've kept count, too?" was what he said. "Yes, twenty-four is right. Funny we both remembered … funny about our holding hands out there …" "I didn't promise to make the fire," said Beatrice quickly. "If you will get it started I'll prepare … What will it be? Luncheon? Just as soon as I finish my bread and honey." "Right," said Steele. "But it is funny, just the same. Isn't it?"

"Very," answered Beatrice aloofly. "But, if you