THE WHEELS OF CHANCE
"Smirking—" What he called the other man in brown need not trouble us.
"Annoying her!" That any human being should do that!
"Why?"
The impulse to interfere leaped suddenly into Mr. Hoopdriver's mind. He grasped his brake, descended, and stood looking hesitatingly back. They still stood by the railway bridge, and it seemed to Mr. Hoopdriver's fancy that she was stamping her foot. He hesitated, then turned his bicycle round, mounted, and rode back towards them, gripping his courage firmly lest it should slip away and leave him ridiculous. "I'll offer 'im a screw 'ammer," said Mr. Hoopdriver. Then with a wave of fierce emotion he saw that the girl was crying. In another moment they heard him and turned in surprise. Certainly she had been crying; her eyes were swimming in tears, and the other man in brown looked exceedingly disconcerted. Mr. Hoopdriver descended and stood over his machine.
"Nothing wrong, I hope?" he said, looking the other man in brown squarely in the face. "No accident?"
"Nothing," said the other man in brown shortly. "Nothing at all, thanks."
"But," said Mr. Hoopdriver with a great effort, "the young lady is crying. I thought perhaps———"
The Young Lady in Grey started, gave Hoopdriver one swift glance, and covered one eye with her handkerchief. "It's this speck," she said. "This speck of dust in my eye."
64
