d
with Jimmy's coldness! She'd show him, the icicle, and have a bit of fun
with him--"on my way here, Jimmy, I met ... now you won't give me away,
Jimmy? ... I met my ... sweetheart."

"A sweetheart? You? Lily?"

"Yes, yes, yes," said Lily, nodding her head and looking at him archly,
for she could see, by Jimmy's expression, that he was caught.

"And your father and mother know nothing about it?" insisted Jimmy,
nonplussed.

"No, no; it doesn't concern them: at my age, a girl earns a living for her
Pa and Ma; I have as much right to a sweetheart as any one else, I
suppose."

And, greatly amused, she fixed Jimmy with her mocking eyes.

Jimmy stared at her in amazement.

Then she understood that it was not a thing to joke about and that what
she had just said was terrible. And, suddenly:

"No, it's not true, Jimmy! I was only laughing! Oh, Jimmy, you're going to
give me away!" cried Lily, squeezing Jimmy's arm with a convulsive little
hand. "Oh, Jimmy, don't tell Ma, please, please, Jimmy!"

And there was something so sincere in her voice that Jimmy saw that she
was speaking the truth, that it was only the jest of a flapper used to the
manners of the stage.

"No," he said briskly, "I shan't tell; don't be afraid, Lily; only ..."

"Ah, that's nice of you," said Lily, much relieved. "Marriage! If you only
knew! And what would become of the troupe? I shall never marry. I
think...."

"Still, some day, it's bound to come," said Jimmy, interrupting her. "You
won't spend all your life on a bike. You are sure to marry some day...."

"Don't talk to me about marriage! No, not that. Gee!"

"But--"

"Love stories! With men! I! And you believed it," said Lily, drawing back
her shoulder and raising her hand. "I could smack you, you great silly!"
And, all of a sudden, "I must go," she cried, "I've stayed too long; Ma
will be waiting for me with her broom!"

And Lily rushed outside, without giving Jimmy time to answer. He could
just see her turn the corner of the street.

Jimmy went back to his work, silently, wrapped up in his thoughts. That
nice little Lily! She could be easy in her mind. No, he would never be a
cause of worry to her....

Meanwhile, Lily ran home as fast as she could and, on entering, saw that
it was no use; her Ma was waiting for her, furious.

"Where have you been?"

"Why, I've come straight from Jimmy's, Ma."

"That's a lie! The butcher's boy, who has just left, saw you outside the
Horse