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“Allison, meet one of Chubsy’s friends from home,” called Uncle Jim. “Mr. Allison, Mr. Clemmens.”
As the two shook hands, Gail turned again to the young man from back home. Yes, he had grown smaller.
CHAPTER VII
THEY HAD ALREADY SPOILED HER!
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Gail faltered when, after bidding good-night to her uncle and to Allison, she turned and met the look in Howard Clemmens’ eyes. She knew that the inevitable moment had arrived. He walked straight up to her, and there was a new dignity in him, a new strength, a new resolve. For a moment, as he advanced, she thought that he was about to put his arms around her, but he did not. Instead, he took her hand, in his old characteristic way, and led her into the library, and seated her on the couch, and sat beside her.
“Gail, come home with me,” he said, authoritative but kind. He had been her recognised suitor from childhood. He had shut out all the other boys.
She withdrew her hand, but without deliberate intent. She had felt the instinctive and imperative need of touching her two hands together in her lap.