Page:The wheels of chance -- a bicycling idyll.djvu/209

Rh if I got a big, double Elarum instead of that little bell."

"Why?"

"Jest a thought." A pause.

"Very well, then,—Havant and lunch," said Jessie, rising. "I wish, somehow, we could have managed it without stealing that machine," said Hoopdriver. "Because it is stealing it, you know, come to think of it."

"Nonsense. If Mr. Bechamel troubles you—I will tell the whole world—if need be."

"I believe you would," said Mr. Hoopdriver, admiring her. "You're plucky enough—goodness knows."

Discovering suddenly that she was standing, he, too, rose and picked up her machine. She took it and wheeled it into the road. Then he took his own. He paused, regarding it. "I say!" said he. "How'd this bike look, now, if it was enamelled grey?"

She looked over her shoulder at his grave face. "Why try and hide it in that way?"

"It was jest a passing thought," said Mr. Hoopdriver, airily. "Didn't mean anything, you know."

As they were riding on to Havant it occurred to Mr. Hoopdriver in a transitory manner that the interview had been quite other than his expectation.