werving determination of his
eyes. Then a sudden gleam of blue fire lit her own. She made a swift
movement, and struck the outstretched hand lightly with the switch she
carried.

It was a gesture of supreme insolence, but there was conscious daring in
her look. Jake's hand leapt like an angry dog upon the switch and gripped
it.

"That was a mistake," he said, and the words, though slow, had a cutting
quality that was somehow more imposing than open wrath.

Toby faced him with unabated courage, but she had begun to quiver. She
spoke no word.

Jake's hand fell. He turned from her, and pulled out his pipe. There was
dignity in the action--the dignity of strength that refuses to assert
itself.

And Toby suddenly crumpled. She sprang after him like a contrite child,
and caught his arm. "Oh, Jake, forgive me! Do please forgive me! I'm a
beast--a beast!" she cried tremulously.

Jake looked at her, the hint of a smile about his rugged mouth. "I guess
not," he said. "You're just--young."

She shook her head vehemently. "I'm not! It wasn't that, Jake! I
didn't--hurt you?"

"Shucks, no!" he said.

She clung to his arm still. "I'll never disobey you again. I won't do
anything you don't like. Jake, I mean it! Why are you laughing?"

"I'm not," said Jake. He put his pipe away again, and patted her
shoulder. "All right. Don't say any more!" he said.

Toby gulped down some obstruction in the throat. "I must. I've got to ask
you something. You're so awfully decent. I can't--I won't--do things you
don't like."

"What do you want to know?" said Jake.

Her other hand came up and fastened tightly upon his arm. "I don't know
how to tell you," she said. "I--I had a rotten night last night. That's
why I went out alone this morning. And I took Knuckle-Duster because the
devil tempted me."

"I see," said Jake. His red-brown eyes were very kindly in their
directness. "What did you have a bad night about?"

Her hold upon him tightened. Something of entreaty made itself felt in
her grasp. There was fear in the wide blue eyes so resolutely lifted to
his.

"I don't know how to tell you," she said again.

"Maybe I can guess," said Jake.

"Ah!" she said, and laid her face down quickly on his sleeve.

He laid his free hand on her head. "It's Bunny, is it?" he said.

She answered him quiveringly. "Yes, it's--it's Bunny."

"Well?" said Jake gently.

She spoke with her face still hidden. "You don't want me to marry him, do
yo