It was a
singularly kindly mouth. Some critics called it weak, though there was
no sign of nervousness about it. The clean lips made their statement
without faltering, and without apparent effort, and, having spoken,
relaxed into a faint smile that was pleasantly devoid of
self-consciousness.
The girl at whose side he lay listened with a slight frown between her
eyes. She was quivering inwardly with embarrassment, but she would have
died sooner than have betrayed it. The shyest child found it hard to be
shy with Tots Waring. His full name was Tottenham, but nobody dreamed of
using it. From his cradle onwards he had been Tots to all who knew him.
His proposal was followed by a very decided pause. Then, still frowning,
the girl spoke.
"Is it a joke?"
"Never made a joke in my life," said Tots.
"Then why don't you do it properly?"
There was a decided touch of irritation in the question. The girl was
leaning slightly forward, her hands clasped round her knee. Her black
brows looked decidedly uncompromising, and there was a faintly
contemptuous twist about her upper lip.
"Don't be vexed!" pleaded Tots. "I suppose you know by experience how
these things are managed, but I don't. You see, it's my first attempt."
Unwillingly, as it were in spite of itself, the contemptuous curve
became a very small smile. The girl's dark eyes dwelt for several
seconds upon that portion of her suitor's countenance that was visible
under the linen hat.
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