s either her shoe-buckle or her lips;
"whichever he likes best!" decreed the matron, archly.

It is strange how the reserves and reticences of childhood, the things
that offend, the things that bring agony, are forgotten by so many of
those who have left childhood behind. In extenuation of this lively
and kindly lady, it may be said that the manners and customs of her
early youth were not those to which Larry was habituated. Yet, one
might have thought that a glance at Larry's face would have sufficed
to induce Rhadamanthus himself to remit the penalty. Not so Mrs.
Whelply, the arbitrator.

"Oh, look at the pout on him! What a naughty boy! If you don't take
care, I'll put a worse task on you!"

Larry, oblivious of the dunce's cap, feeling himself in the grip of a
social machine that was too strong for him, looked round upon the
company. Hot, pink faces, shining eyes and teeth, Moenad hair, on all
sides. Then he caught sight of Tishy's eyes, scornful and amused,
regarding him as he stood irresolute, and his spirit responded to the
spur of contempt. He crossed the open space of floor to where she was
seated on the blue rep sofa, took off the dunce's cap with a flourish,
and, with a low bow, offered her his arm.

A chorus of approval, weighted by the Big Doctor's big laugh, greeted
the action. Tishy, cornered, accepted the arm, the door was swung open
for them, and ostentatiously slammed behind them.

Larry, silent, and very angry, mounted the stairs quickly, and Tishy
perforce, her hand gripped by his elbow, followed him. At the highest
step but one, Larry stood aside, and Tishy ascended, and turning,
faced him from the top. They looked at each other for a moment in
silence. Both were furiously angry, resenting the compulsion that had
forced them into an absurd position.

Then Tishy said insolently: "Well! Which will you have? My shoe-buckle
or my lips? Take your choice!"

She poked her foot out over the edge of the step confidently.

A spark shot from Larry's angry heart to his blue eyes. He looked up
at Tishy, and something suddenly masterful awoke in him. Confound her!
He wouldn't have her laughing at him!

"I'll have your lips, please!" he said, mounting to the step beside
her.

With schoolboy roughness he flung his arm round her shoulders. She was
a little taller than he, but she did not withdraw herself; she was
curiously aware that her point of view was changing. She looked for an
instant in his eyes,