How Maud Barrington closed the door she did not know, but it was with a
little imperious gesture she turned to the man.
"Shake those furs at once," she said, and drawing him towards the stove
held up the steaming cup. "Now sit there, and drink it."
Winston stooped and reached out for the can, but the girl swept it off
the stove. "Oh, I know the silver was for me," she said. "Still, is
this a time for trifles such as that?"
Worn out by a very grim struggle, Winston did as he was bidden, and
looked up with a twinkle in his eyes, when with the faintest trace of
color in her cheeks the girl sat down close to him and drew part of the
fur robe about him.
"I really believe you were a little pleased to see me come back just
now," he said.
"Was that quite necessary?" asked Maud Barrington. "Still, I was."
Winston made a little deprecatory gesture. "Of course," he said.
"Now, we can resume our former footing to-morrow, but in the meanwhile
I would like to know why you are so hard upon me, Miss Barrington,
because I really have not done much harm to any one at Silverdale.
Your aunt,"--and he made a little respectful inclination of his head
which pleased the girl--"is at least giving me a fair trial."
"It is difficult to tell you--but it was your own doing," said Maud
Barrington. "At the beginning you prejudiced us when you told us you
could only play cards indifferently. It was so unnecessary, and we
knew a good deal about you!"
"Well," said Winston quietly, "I have only my word to offer, and I
wonder if you will believe me now, but I don't think I ever won five
dollars at cards in my life.
Pages:
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144