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Amarilly of Clothes-line Alley

Page 80

"Yes, I do, Mr. Derry. I know what you mean, even if I didn't ketch--"

"Catch, Amarilly; not ketch."

"But my word for to-day is 'afraid,'" she said stubbornly. "I wasn't to

have but one word a day. I'll say 'ketch' until to-morrow."

"Oh, Amarilly, such system as you have! You are right though; but tell

me what it was I meant." "You mean I am to think of something awful that

would have been more awful but for something nice that happened. I'll

think of the day last summer when we couldn't pay the rent. That was sad

until the bishop came along and things got brighter."

"Exactly. You have the temperament, Amarilly, but you should have

written to your twin brother in such a dilemma. It's late now, or it

will be when you get home. I am going to walk with you."

"No; I am not afraid."

"It makes no difference; I am going with you. To think that, intimate

friends as we are, I have never seen your home, your numerous brothers,

and the Boarder. I am going to spend the evening with you."

"Oh, no!" she protested, appalled at the prospect. "You mustn't."

"Why, Amarilly, how inhospitable you are! I thought you would be

pleased."

"I guess you couldn't stand for it."

"Stand for what, Amarilly?"

"Why, you see, I am not ashamed of it, but it's so diff'rent from what

you're used to, and you wouldn't like it, and I'd feel uncomfortable

like with you there." "Why, Amarilly!" A really pained look came into

his boyish eyes. "I thought we were friends. And you let Miss King and

your minister come--"

"But you see," argued Amarilly, "it's diff'rent with them. A minister

has to go everywhere, and he's used to seeing all kinds of houses; and

then Miss King, she's a sort of a--settlement worker."

"I see," said Derry. "But, Amarilly, to be a true artist, or a writer,

one must see all sorts and conditions of life. But I am not coming for

that. I am coming because I like you and want to meet your family."

"Well," agreed Amarilly, resigned, but playing her last trump, "you

haven't had your dinner yet."

"We had a very late luncheon, if you remember, and I am invited to a

supper after the theatre to-night, so I am not dining."

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