Page:The woman, the man, and the monster (IA womanmanmonster00dawe).pdf/227

 “Thank you, miss—the same to you.”

She looked sharply round, but luckily no one was near. Persons frowned ominously. Smales’s weak mouth grew obstinate.

“That will do,” said Vermont coldly. “You may go now.”

Smales saluted and walked slowly back to the car. From the gate they watched him mount it and drive away.

“Did you hear that?” she asked sharply.

“It was a slip—a mistake.”

“Oh, no, it wasn’t. If you are going to let your servants insult me ” She turned aside, head up, chin out. Quickly he caught her by the hand.

“He would not dare! It was his stupidity.”

“I suppose I ought not to be ready to take offence. What can I expect?”

Her mouth was quivering, her eyes flashing, her body stiff, unyielding. For the first time he saw that in her eyes which did not please him.

“You are wrong, my dear,” he said soothing- ly; “the fellow is merely a dunderhead.”

“Not such a dunderhead as you imagine. I knew I should hate him, and I do.”