When
he came near she shrank back against the wall; when he spoke she
cringed; when he attempted to touch her person she screamed. It was this
act that brought Sam's wrath upon Davy's head. He won something like
gratitude from the girl by profanely commanding Davy to confine his love
to looks and not to acts.
"She ain't to be harmed," was Sam's edict. "That goes, too."
"Aw, you go to--" began Davy belligerently.
"What's that?" snarled Sam, whirling upon him with a glare. Davy slunk
behind his mother and glared back. Bill moved over to Sam's side. For a
moment the air was heavy with signs of an affray. Rosalie crouched in
her corner, her hand over her ears, her eyes closed. There was murder in
Davy's face. "I'll break every bone in your body!" added Sam; but Bill
laconically stayed him with a word.
"Rats!" It was brief, but it brought the irate Sam to his senses.
Trouble was averted for the time being.
"Davy ain't afraid of him," cried that worthy's mother shrilly.
"You bet I ain't!" added Davy after a long string of oaths. Sam grinned
viciously.
"There ain't nothin' to fight about, I guess," he said, although he did
not look it. "We'd be fools to scrap. Everything to lose and nothin' to
gain. All I got to say, Davy, is that you ain't to touch that girl."
"Who's goin' to touch her?" roared Davy, bristling bravely.
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