"I'd like more proof of it."
"Would you? What proof can I give?"
"There you are on the other side, now, making me do more than my share.
I don't intend to teach you, you know!" She walked away, her hands
behind her back.
"Could you, if you wanted to?"
"Oh, I think I might show you a few things. I have my ideas--most women
have, you know. Perhaps I'm not quite so cold as you think." She shut
her eyes a moment and trembled. "But there's plenty of time."
He let that go, gazing with curiosity at the spots of red on her cheeks.
It was not a blush; the color was sustained. She never looked at him
steadily, giving him only a flashing glance, now and again. Her nostrils
were expanded, her head was held majestically erect. There was, indeed,
plenty of time for him, and he took it coolly. He betrayed still a
puzzled interest--that of a hunter whose quarry was fluttering so that
he could not get in his shot.
"You're looking very beautiful, to-day, Cly."
"To-day?" She emphasized the word.
He laughed. "That's the time I put the mucilage brush in the
ink-bottle! Queer how hard it is to give a girl a compliment that
she'll accept."
"I beg pardon--it was ungracious of me. Try me again."
"No, I was clumsy. But compliments aren't my business. I'm not a
palmist, you see."
Again she drew back her head with a shake. "I think I told you that Mr.
Granthope is my friend?" Her voice trembled a little.
She walked to the fireplace and stood there, leaning her back against
the mantel, tapping her heel against the fender.
"I told you he wouldn't last long," Cayley went on. "He's come down like
the stick of a rocket. I suspected he'd be leaving town before the
month was out."
"Leaving town--what d'you mean?" She was keen, now.
"I had to go up into the Geary Building this morning, and I saw his
boxes outside the door as I passed. I took it that he's leaving. You
ought to know, I should think--if he's your friend!"
She walked up to the window and back before answering. Then she came up
to him with:
"You needn't be afraid, Blanchard; I'm not going to elope with him."
"That's good. It gives you a chance to elope with me!"
"Oh, it's all planned, then? How exciting!"
"I was invited up to the tavern on Tamalpais and bring a girl for over
Sunday. Mrs. Page is the chaperon--she calls it a 'sunrise party.'
Will you come?"