"But I guess you don't know anything about the conditions yet. Did my cousin tell you of the river-steamers where the cabins are so small that you have to go outside to turn round, and the whole ship's company and passengers wash in one basin in the alley-way? Or about the shacks where the board-partitions are an inch apart, so that it's best to go to bed in the dark."
"That will do, Slicker!"
"Now, honey! Don't pretend you don't know. Who pinned her things up all around the walls that night at Sheridan's? Think I didn't hear about it?"
With the other ladies' cordial co-operation Jennifer turned the conversation, and Slicker subsided into a corner with Angela Barrymore. Neither seemed anxious to come out of it when the move for departure was made; and Slicker accompanied them all into the hall and waved his good-byes from the step. When he came back Jennifer was waiting for him.
"You—you perfect little beast, Slicker," she cried. "What made you do it?"
"Be easy, honey;" the familiar term, caught from Dick, stilled Jennifer's heart for a moment. "That old lady with the three cock's-tails hasn't had such a time since she doesn't know when. You'll hear all about it at half a dozen afternoons. And think what kudos you'll get for having seen it all."
"You didn't tell her anything about—me, Slicker?"
Slicker put his hand on her shoulder, looking down at her.
"You didn't think that of me, honey? Not for one little minute. That's right. Now, come and have a jaw over the fire. Where's auntie?"
"Someone came to see her on business." Jennifer let herself down beside Slicker on the hearthrug, and flung on a hickory-knot. "I just hate you for making fun of all the splendid work people do for the missions," she said. "And you were very rude about the W. A., too."
"She didn't mind, bless you. And I told Miss Barrymore some plain truth."
"Oh, I hope it wasn't too plain, you wretch. You know how you"
