234
FLAMING YOUTH
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will, become calm, cheerful, self-possessed, exorcised of all — wrath and dismay, the face of the confident, confidence-
imspiring physician going on his duty ef aid. Pat mar — velled and admired.
For her it was a long and thought-haunted half hour before he emerged from Dee's room. “Is it bad?” she whispered, striving te read his expression. “No. A slight nervous shock. Nothing more.* “Oh, Bobs! I could cry with thankfulness.” “Save your tears,” he advised, “for these on whom
they might make an impression.” “You don’t like me much, de you?” she sighed. “Did you tell Dee about my trick?” “Haven*t I made it clear that you are to make that explanation?” “What if I dont choose to?” “J think you will, Whether you like it or not.”
Pat said with slow malice: “Shall I tell her that you asked me to marry you?” “Why not? “Oh, very well She could think of nothing more effective to say.
He iook his coat and hat from the chair upon whieh he had tossed them. “Bobs.” He turned at the door, eyeing her with an unces promising regard. “Don’t look at me in that poisonous way. Say you're sorry, or I'm sorry, or something.”
He did not move but seemed to be considering. When he spoke his voice shook her with its gravity: “Itiis not going to be easy to forgive you, Pat.” “How about Dee?” she shot at him.
