Page:Mehalah 1920.djvu/63

Rh at me just as if you were saying, 'Kiss me!' I could not help it. You are crying. I have offended you."

"No, I am laughing. Oh, George! Oh, George!"

They walked back to the farm without speaking. De Witt was ashamed of himself, yet felt he was under a spell which he could not break. A rough fisher lad flattered by a girl he had looked on as his superior, and beyond his approach, now found himself the object of her advances; the situation was more than his rude virtue could withstand. He knew that this was a short dream of delight, which would pass, and leave no substance, but whilst under the charm of the dream, he could not cry out nor move a finger to arouse himself to real life.

Neither spoke for a few minutes. But, at last, George De Witt turned, and looking with a puzzled face at Phœbe Musset said, "You asked me on our way to Waldegraves what I was thinking about, and offered me a penny for my thoughts. Now I wonder what you are lost in a brown study about, and I will give you four farthings for what is passing in your little golden head."

"You must not ask me, George—dear George."

"Oh, mate, you must tell me."

"I dare not. I shall be so ashamed."

"Then look aside when you speak."

"No, I can't do that. I must look you full in the face; and do you look me in the face too. George, I was thinking—Why did you not come and talk to me, before you went courting that gipsy girl, Mehalah. Are you not sorry now that you are tied to her?

His eyes fell. He could not speak.

CHAPTER VI

BLACK OR GOLD

De Witt drove up to the "City" with Phœbe Musset, the first person he saw on the beach was the last person that, under present circumstances, he wished to see—Mehalah Sharland. Phœbe perceived her at once, and rejoiced at the opportunity that offered to profit by it.

For a long time Phœbe had been envious of the