The Argosy — page 59: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Molly at the ‘‘ Mitre.” 49 narrow street leading to Christchurch and the river. Several loiterers appeared deeply absorbed in the display of striped flannels which decorated Foster’s windows. The plate glass reflected the flower- decked window-sills of the “‘ Mitre” opposite, Jack’s stalwart figure, and the girl in the white dress. Presently Jack yawned. ‘I ought to go round to my rooms and change, and see about things a bit before we go to Hayward’s ; only I don’t like leaving you here alone.” “But I’m not dull a bit; and there are Aunty and Flo!” Jack looked over his shoulder and then at his sister. “A pretty pair of chaperons.” For Flo Bussell’s Guide-book had fallen face-fore- most on a fine print of the Ratcliffe Library and she was sound asleep in the horsehair arm-chair. ‘Does one require chaperoning even indoors and all alone at Oxford ?” Molly asked innocently. “T don’t like ” Jack began ; then he broke of: ‘“‘ There’s old Ransome, I declare ; coming up here to call on you most likely ! You like Ransome, don’t you Molly? He'll do to talk to you while I’m —_ And Jack was tumbling down the stairs of the ‘‘ Mitre” and across the street before Molly could answer. The only ridiculous idea that crossed Molly’s brain was that in French there is no definition of “ to like!” Presently George Ransome tapped at the door and came in with elaborate care not to disturb Lady Bussell and her daughter. Molly stood up with one finger on her lips, her right hand held out. “Oxford is the most delightful spot on earth!” was shining in her eyes, only George Ransome was rather short-sighted. “How do you do, Miss Verey?” he said. “Your brother told me to come up and call on you, though your aunt and cousin were not to be disturbed.” “Then you weren’t coming of your own accord ?” said Molly tartly. She didn’t know why she spoke so. Only somehow she had thought so much of meeting George Ransome again, and now that he had come she was shy and ill at ease. Ransome looked surprised. He had never known Molly anything but sweet-tempered. “ Indeed I have been looking forward to seeing you ever since your brother told me you were coming up with Lady Bussell, and— and—I went round by the station this moming when you arrived, to see if I could be of any assistance. But you had Hayward and Forbes and your brother, and half a dozen other men; so I thought I had better sheer off.” “Very much relieved to think you had not to carry a bonnet-box or a nondescript bundle of rugs and umbrellas.” So he Aad been at the station after all ! Molly’s heart gave a bound as she recollected how assiduously VOL. XLIV, » Godsle comicbooks.com '