Canada -- Fiction; World War, 1914-1918 -- Canada -- Fiction
Jane's face glowed a dull red, but she made no pretence of failing to
understand Ethel's meaning. “Oh, there is no nonsense of that kind with
Larry,” she said. “We are just good friends.”
“Good friends!” exclaimed Ethel indignantly. “That's just where he is so
awfully maddening. I can't understand him. He has lots of red blood, and
he is a sport, too. But somehow he never knows a girl from her brother.
He treats me just the way he treats Bruce and Leslie. I often wonder
what he would do if I kissed him. I've tried squeezing his hand.”
“Have you?” said Jane, with a delighted laugh. “What did he do?”
“Why, he never knew it. I could have killed him,” said Ethel in disgust.
“He is going away to Chicago,” said Jane abruptly, “to your friends,
the Wakehams. Mr. Wakeham is in mines, as you know. Larry is to get two
thousand dollars to begin with. It is a good position, and I am glad for
him. Oh, there I see Mr. MacLean and Frank Smart coming in.”
When the party had settled down they discussed the Class lists and prize
winners till Dr. Brown appeared.
“Shall we have dinner soon, Jane?” he said as she welcomed him. “I wish
to get through with my work early so as to take in the big political
meeting this evening. Mr. Allen is to speak and there is sure to be a
crowd.”
“I shall have it served at once, Papa. Larry is coming, but we won't
wait for him.”
They were half through dinner before Larry appeared. He came in looking
worn, pale and thinner even than usual. But there was a gleam in his eye
and an energy in his movements that indicated sound and vigorous health.
“You are not late, Larry,” said Jane; “we are early. Papa is going to
the political meeting.”
“Good!” cried Larry. “So am I. You are going, Frank, and you, MacLean?”
“I don't know yet,” said MacLean.
“We are all due at Mrs. Allen's, Larry, you remember. It is a party for
the Graduating Class, too,” said Jane.
“So we are. But we can take in the political meeting first, eh, Mac?”
But MacLean glanced doubtfully at Ethel.
“I have just had a go with Holtzman,” said Larry, “the German Socialist,
you know. He was ramping and raging like a wild man down in front of
the post office. I know him quite well. He is going to heckle Mr. Allen
to-night.”
The girls were keen to take in the political meeting, but Larry
objected.
“There will be a rough time, likely. It will be no place for ladies. We
will take you to the party, then join you again after the meeting.”
The girls were indignant and appealed to Dr. Brown.
“I think,” said he, “perhaps you had better not go. The young gentlemen
can join you later, you know, at Allens' party.”
“Oh, we don't want them then,” said Ethel, “and, indeed, we can go by
ourselves to the party.”
“Now, Ethel, don't be naughty,” said Larry.
“I shall be very glad to take you to the party, Miss Murray,” said
MacLean. “I don't care so much for the meeting.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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