Hazel got her hat, and they set out.
She had climbed that hill by herself, and she knew that it commanded a
great sweep of the rolling land to the west.
They reached the top in a few minutes, and found a seat on a dead tree
trunk. Mr. Perkins was properly impressed with the outlook. But
before very long he seemed to suffer a relaxation of his interest in
the view and a corresponding increase of attention to his companion.
Hazel recognized the symptoms. At first it amused, then it irritated
her. The playful familiarity of Mr. Perkins suddenly got on her nerves.
"I think I shall go down," she said abruptly.
"Oh, I say, now, there's no hurry," Perkins responded smilingly.
But she was already rising from her seat, and Mr. Perkins, very likely
gauging his action according to his experience in other such
situations, did an utterly foolish thing. He caught her as she rose,
and laughingly tried to kiss her. Whereupon he discovered that he had
caught a tartar, for Hazel slapped him with all the force she could
muster--which was considerable, judging by the flaming red spot which
the smack of her palm left on his smooth-shaven cheek. But he did not
seem to mind that.
Pages:
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88