Page:Restless Earth.djvu/55

“Say something, Jimmy,” commanded Patricia, turning upon him suddenly.

“Wh—what are you doing here, Pat?” he stuttered, his eyes still wide with amazement.

“As you see, restoring order in the kitchen and cooking the evening meal,” she answered easily.

“But—but———” he began helplessly, spreading his hands protestingly.

“Do you like living on husks in a stye, Jimmy?”

“No, of course not! But, my dear girl, you mustn’t———”

“Don’t ask me what the neighbours will think,” she interrupted, with a cold smile, “because you should know that I don’t care what they think. At this moment Mrs. Langham is spreading the glad news that I have proved myself an abandoned hussy, I dare say. She was vastly interested when I shook the bedroom rugs over the verandah rail an hour ago. I made plenty of noise over it especially for her edification.”

He shook his head in bewilderment.

Patricia read reproof in the action and came close to him, her shapely jaw set challengingly. She looked steadily into his eyes.

“Have you finally decided that you do care what local society thinks of you?” she asked, a suggestion of contempt in her tones.

Harley returned her gaze as he straightened slowly. A possessive smile curved his lips and deepened the lines at their corners. His eyelids drooped slightly as his gaze kindled. With a sudden, fierce movement he seized her in his arms and crushed her to him.

“The neighbours and local society can go to the devil!” he answered. “I wish I could keep you here.”

Patricia found the wet dish-cloth she held rather difficult in his close embrace, but she refrained from mentioning it. Harley had not noticed it.

“Do you? Really?” she asked.

“You know I do, Pat.”