"
James hesitated. "It's the last thing I want to do, but when Joe
Powers says 'Come!' I know enough to jump."
"But when I say stay?" she pleaded.
"Then I stop the prettiest mouth in the world with kisses and run
away before I hear the order." Gaily he suited the action to the
word.
But, for once swift, she reached the door before him.
"Wait. Don't go, dear."
The last word came faintly, unexpectedly. The enticement of the
appeal went to his head. He had shaken her out of the indifference
that was her pride. One arm slipped round her waist. His other
hand tilted back her head until he could look into the eyes in
which a new fire had been kindled.
"What about that almost glad? If I stay will you forget all
qualifying words and be just glad?"
She nodded quickly, laughing ever so softly. "Yes, I'll help you
listen to the birds sing. Do you know I can almost hear them?"
James drew a deep breath and caught her swiftly to him. "New York
will have to wait till to-morrow. The birds will sing to-night and
we will not count the cost."
"Yes, my lord," she answered demurely.
For to-night she wanted to forget that their birds were only caged
canaries.
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