Page:That Royle Girl (Balmer).pdf/242

 "Mostly I have lived in Chicago and I have lived also in Detroit, in Cleveland and in Milwaukee and several other cities."

"So?" ejaculated Max, agreeably simulating surprise, and by a little toss of his head as well as by the easy gesture of his hand he deliberately snapped the skein of strain which, by the help of the previous witness, he had woven over the court-room. Every one sat, no less attentively, but more comfortably—every one, that was, but the witness and Calvin Clarke.

"How have you lived in all these cities and in Chicago?" Max inquired of her.

"How?" repeated Joan Daisy, genuinely bewildered, as every one could see.

"I mean, have you lived alone; or perhaps—if the gentlemen of the State will not object to it as a leading question—perhaps with your parents?"

Joan Daisy emitted a little sigh, as she comprehended. "Oh, with my parents, always," she replied, very seriously.

Elmen cast at Calvin a casual look or, more exactly, a glance which pretended to be casual, but which fixed into a stare as though Elmen suddenly had discovered a peculiar idiosyncrasy which arrested him; and Calvin, in spite of himself, prickled with self-consciousness.

He became aware that he was sitting erect at his table, his hands held stiffly before him, his feet planted flat upon the floor; and as he felt Elmen's quizzical gaze, which now guided the eyes of the court-room, Calvin tried to think how to relax in order to appear at ease, but he could not. He burned with annoyance at himself and endured, in motionless awkwardness; and he berated himself for his relief when Elmen looked away.

Calvin's mind became cool again and informed him of the means by which Elmen planned to control the mood