“He’s a better kind of gentleman than you are!” I cried. “He’s a genius,
and--and--and-- How dare you say anything about him! We all love him and
are proud of him.”
I felt my breath coming and going and my fist doubling up. I wanted to
_pummel_ Reggie just then.
“Come, come, old girl,” he said. “Don’t let’s have a narsty scene. My
word, I wouldn’t quarrel with you for worlds. Now, look here, darling,
you shall do as you like, and even if the governor cuts me off, I’ll not
give up my sweetheart.”
He looked very sweet when he said that, and I melted in an instant. All
of my bitterness and anger vanished. Reggie’s promise to stand by me in
spite of his people appealed to me as romantic and fine.
“Oh, Reggie, if they do cut you off, will you work for me with your
hands?” I cried excitedly.
“My word, darling, how could I?” he exclaimed. “I’m blessed if I could
earn a tuppence with them. Besides, I could hardly do work that was
unbecoming a gentleman, now could I, darling?”