Page:Stella Dallas, a novel (IA stelladallasnove00prou).pdf/217

Rh taken such a dislike to Alfred Munn. Ed tried to be awfully kind. He called at the apartment before they had been in it a week. He tried to be awfully kind to Laurel especially. But the child wouldn't let him.

" bear that man, mother," she had said as soon as the door had closed upon him after his first call. "Don't let him come again." There was a red spot in the center of each of her cheeks.

"Mercy, mercy, Lollie," laughed Stella. (Lately Lollie would flare up like a little firebrand every once in a while over the littlest things! Her age, probably, Stella concluded.) "Why, what's the matter with Ed?" she asked lightly, humoringly.

"He's horrid!"

"Horrid? How's he horrid?"

"He tickled me in the ribs and said I was pretty, and kissed me."

"Well, what of that? You're only a little girl. Why shouldn't he tell you you are pretty, and kiss you?"

"His lips were wet, and his breath smelled. Oh, mother!" shuddered Laurel. "Don't let him kiss me again. Don't let him come here again."

"Now don't be silly, Laurel. I can't tell Ed Munn not to come here again. It would be awfully rude and bad-mannered."

"But he's rude, he's bad-mannered."

"Why, Laurel, how can you talk so about a gentleman who's trying to do so much for us?"

"He isn't a gentleman."