HER CLINGING ARMS
the week. His experience with Harry in the ordering of his suit had taught him the importance of clothes, and he now understood as he could not before, Maimie's manner to him. "That would be it," he said to himself, "and no wonder. What would she do with a great, coarse tyke like me!" Then, in spite of all his loyalty, he could not help contrasting with Maimie's uncertain and doubtful treatment of him, the warm, frank friendliness of Kate. "She did not mind my clothes," he thought, with a glow of gratitude, but sharply checking himself, he added, "but why should she care?" It rather pleased him to think that Maimie cared enough to feel embarrassed at his rough dress. So he kept away from the Hotel de Cheval Blanc till his new suit should be ready. It was not because of his dress, however, that he steadily refused Harry's invitation to the picnic.
"No, I will not go," he said, with blunt decision, after listening to Harry's pleading. "It is Lieutenant De Lacy's picnic, and I will have nothing to do with him, and indeed he will not be wanting me!"
"Oh, he's forgotten all about that little affair," cried Harry.
"Has he? Indeed then if he is a man he has not!"
"I guess he hasn't remembered much of anything for the last week," said Harry, with a slight laugh.
"Why not?"
"Oh, pshaw, he's been on a big tear. He only sobered up yesterday."
"Huh!" grunted Ranald, contemptuously. He had little respect for a man who did not know when
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