"True," I said, "it might even take the queen." After a moment's
silence I asked, "What would you do in that case, Miss Holroyd?"
"I should resign," she said serenely; then realizing what she had said,
she lost her self-possession for a second, and cried: "No, indeed! I
should fight to the bitter end! I mean----"
"What?" I asked, lingering over my revenge.
"I mean," she said slowly, "that your black pawn would never have the
chance--never! I should take it immediately."
"I believe you would," said I, smiling; "so we'll call the game yours,
and--the pawn captured."
"I don't want it," she exclaimed. "A pawn is worthless."
"Except when it's in the king row."
"Chess is most interesting," she observed sedately. She had completely
recovered her self-control. Still I saw that she now had a certain
respect for my defensive powers. It was very soothing to me.
"You know," said I gravely, "that I am fonder of Jack than of anybody.
That's the reason we never write each other, except to borrow things. I
am afraid that when I was a young cub in France I was not an attractive
personality."
"On the contrary," said Daisy, smiling, "I thought you were very big
and very perfect. I had illusions. I wept often when I went home and
remembered that you never took the trouble to speak to me but once."
"I was a cub," I said; "not selfish and brutal, but I didn't understand
schoolgirls. I never had any sisters, and I didn't know what to say to
very young girls. If I had imagined that you felt hurt----"
"Oh, I did--five years ago. Afterward I laughed at the whole thing."
"Laughed?" I repeated, vaguely disappointed.
"Why, of course. I was very easily hurt when I was a child. I think I
have outgrown it."
The soft curve of her sensitive mouth contradicted her.
"Will you forgive me now?" I asked.
"Yes. I had forgotten the whole thing until I met you an hour or so
ago."
There was something that had a ring not entirely genuine in this
speech. I noticed it, but forgot it the next moment.
"Tiger cubs have stripes," said I. "Selfishness blossoms in the cradle,
and prophecy is not difficult. I hope I am not more selfish than my
brothers."
"I hope not," she said, smiling.
Presently she rose, touched her hair with the tip of one finger, and
walked to the door.
"Good-night," she said, courtesying very low.
"Good-night," said I, opening the door for her to pass.