Page:While the Billy Boils, 1913.djvu/334

 chap, too; but we couldn't get her to say a word―not one.

We finished the first blanky course, and, while she was gettin' our puddin' from the side table, Dave says to me in a loud whisper, so's she could hear: 'Ain't she a stunner, Joe?' says Dave; 'I never thought there was sich fine girls on the Darlin'!' says Dave.

But no; she wouldn't speak.

Then Dave says: 'They pitch a blanky lot about them New Englan' gals; but I'll back the Darlin' girls to lick 'em holler as far's looks is concerned,' says Dave.

But no; she wouldn't speak. She wouldn't even smile.

Dave didn't say nothing for awhile, and then he said: 'Did you hear about that red-headed barmaid at Stiffner's goin' to be married to the bank manager at Bourke next month, Joe,' says Dave.

But no, not a single word out of her; she didn't even look up, or look as if she wanted to speak.

Dave scratched his ear and went on with his puddin' for awhile. Then he said: 'Joe, did you hear that yarn about young Scotty and old whatchisname's missis?' says Dave to me.

'Yes,' I says; 'But I think it was the daughter, not the wife, and young Scotty,' I says.

But it wasn't no go; that girl wouldn't speak.

Dave shut up for a good while, but presently I says to Dave: 'I see that them hoops is comin' in again, Dave. The paper says that this here Lady Duff had one on when she landed.'

'Yes, I heard about it,' says Dave. 'I'd like