rowbeat him into
submission. She wrote to Mamise and broke the news to her as gently as
she could, but the rebuff was cruel. Mamise took her sorrow to
Davidge.

He was furious and proposed to "go to the mat" with the State
Department. Mamise, however, shook her head; she saw that her only
hope of rehabilitation lay in a positive proof of her fidelity.

"I got my name stained in England because I didn't have the pluck to
do something positive. I was irresolution personified, and I'm paying
for it. But for once in my life I learned a lesson, and when I learned
what Nicky planned I ran right to you with it. Now if we catch Nicky
red-handed, and I turn over my own brother-in-law to justice, that
ought to redeem me, oughtn't it?"

Davidge had a better idea for her protection. "Marry me, and then they
can't say anything."

"Then they'll suspect you," she said. "Too many good Americans have
been dragged into hot water by pro-German wives, and I'm not going to
marry you till I can bring you some other dower than a spotted
reputation."

"I'd take you and be glad to get you if you were as polka-dotted as a
leopardess," said Davidge.

"Just as much obliged; but no, thank you," said Mamise. "Furthermore,
if we were married, the news would reach Nicky Easton through Jake
Nuddle, and then Nicky would lose all trust in me, and come down on us
without warning."

"This makes about the fifteenth rejection I've had," said Davidge.
"And I'd sworn never to ask you again."

"I promised to ask you when the time was ripe," said Mamise.

"Don't forget. Barkis is always willin' and waitin'."

"While we're both waiting," Mamise went on, "there's one thing you've
got to do for me, or I'll never propose to you."

"Granted, to the half my shipyard."

"It's only a job in your shipyard. I can't stand this typewriter-tapping
any longer. I'm going mad. I want to swing a hammer or something. You
told me that women could build a whole ship if they wanted to, and I
want to build my part of one."

"But--"

"If you speak of my hands, I'll prove to you how strong they are.
Besides, if I were out in the yard at work, I could keep a better
watch for Nicky, and I could keep you better informed as to the
troubles always brewing among the workmen."

"But--"

"I'm strong enough for it, too. I've been taking a lot of exercise
recently to get in trim. If you don't believe me, feel that muscle."

She flexed her biceps, and he took hold of it ti