would have loved me! And then, when it came to the real thing, I found
I just could not stand it. I know it's silly of me. I know just as well
as you do that Miss Vince is quite a nice girl really, and is going to
make a splendid Mrs. Travelling Salesman, but that doesn't help me.
It's my wicked nature, I suppose. I'm just a plain cat, and that's all
there is to it. Look at the way I treat your friends!'
Kirk started.
'You jumped!' said Ruth. 'You jerked my head. Do you think I didn't
know you had noticed it? I knew how unhappy you were when Mr. Jardine
was here, and I just hated myself.'
'Didn't you like Hank?' asked Kirk.
Ruth was silent for a moment.
'I wish you would,' Kirk went on. 'You don't know what a real white man
old Hank is. You didn't see him properly that night. He was nervous.
But he's one of the very best God ever made. We've known each other all
our lives. He and I......'
'Don't tell me!' cried Ruth. 'Don't you see that that's just the reason
why I can't like him? Don't tell me about the things you and he did
together, unless you want me to hate him. Don't you understand, dear?
It's the same with all your friends. I'm jealous of them for having
known you before I did. And I hate these models because they come into
a part of your life into which I can't. I want you all to myself. I
want to be your whole life. I know it's idiotic and impossible, but I
do.'
'You are my whole life,' said Kirk seriously. 'I wasn't born till I met
you. There isn't a single moment when you are not my whole life.'
She pressed her head contentedly against his arm.
'Kirk.'
'Yes?'
'Let me pose for your picture.'
'What! You couldn't!'
'Why not?'
'It's terribly hard work. It's an awful strain.'
'I'm sure I'm as strong as that Vince girl. You ask Steve; he's seen me
throw the medicine-ball.'
'But posing is different. Hilda Vince has been trained for it.'
'Well let me try, at any rate.'
'But......'
'Do! And I'll promise to like your Hank and not put on my grand manner
when he begins telling me what fun you and he used to have in the good
old days before I was born or thought of. May I?'
'But......'
'Quick! Promise!'
'Very well.'
'You dear! I'll be the best model you ever had. I won't move a muscle,
and I'll stand there till I drop.'
'You'll do nothing of the kind. You'll come right down off that
model-throne the instant you feel the least bit tired.'
* * * * *
The picture which Kirk was painting was one of those pictures which
