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successful meretricious show。 But of the one thing Sheldon was sure：
Tudor had no intimate knowledge of her and was unaware of how vital in
her was her wildness and love of independence。 That was where he
would blunderin the catching and the holding of her。 And then； in spite
of all his certitude； Sheldon could not forbear wondering if his theories of
Joan might not be wrong； and if Tudor was not going the right way about
after all。
The situation was very unsatisfactory and perplexing。 Sheldon
played the difficult part of waiting and looking on； while his rival devoted
himself energetically to reaching out and grasping at the fluttering prize。
Then； again； Tudor had such an irritating way about him。 It had become
quite elusive and intangible； now that he had tacitly severed diplomatic
relations； but Sheldon sensed what he deemed a growing antagonism and
promptly magnified it through the jealous lenses of his own lover's eyes。
The other was an interloper。 He did not belong to Berande； and now that
he was well and strong again it was time for him to go。 Instead of which；
and despite the calling in of the mail steamer bound for Sydney； Tudor had
settled himself down comfortably； resumed swimming； went dynamiting
fish with Joan； spent hours with her hunting pigeons； trapping crocodiles；
and at target practice with rifle and revolver。
But there were certain traditions of hospitality that prevented Sheldon
from breathing a hint that it was time for his guest to take himself off。
And in similar fashion； feeling that it was not playing the game； he fought
down the temptation to warn Joan。 Had he known anything； not too
serious； to Tudor's detriment； he would have been unable to utter it； but the
worst of it was that he knew nothing at all against the man。 That was the
confounded part of it； and sometimes he was so baffled and overwrought
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by his feelings that he assumed a super…judicial calm and assured himself
that his dislike of Tudor was a matter of unsubstantial prejudice and
jealousy。
Outwardly； he maintained a calm and smiling aspect。 The work of
the plantation went on。 The Martha and the Flibberty…Gibbet came and
went； as did all the miscellany of coasting craft that dropped in to wait for
a breeze and have a gossip； a drink or two； and a game of billiards。 Satan
kept the compound free of niggers。 Boucher came down regularly in his
whale…boat to pass Sunday。 Twice a day； at breakfast and dinner； Joan and
Sheldon and Tudor met amicably at table； and the evenings were as
amicably spent on the veranda。
And then it happened。 Tudor made his blunder。 Never divining
Joan's fluttering wildness； her blind hatred of restraint and compulsion； her
abhorrence of mastery by another； and mistaking the warmth and
enthusiasm in her eyes （aroused by his latest tale） for something tender
and acquiescent； he drew her to him； laid a forcible detaining arm about
her waist； and misapprehended her frantic revolt for an exhibition of
maidenly reluctance。 It occurred on the veranda； after breakfast； and
Sheldon； within； pondering a Sydney wholesaler's catalogue and making
up his orders for next steamer…day； heard the sharp exclamation of Joan；
followed by the equally sharp impact of an open hand against a cheek。
Jerking free from the arm that was all distasteful compulsion； Joan had
slapped Tudor's face resoundingly and with far more vim and weight than
when she had cuffed Gogoomy。
Sheldon had half…started up； then controlled himself and sunk back in
his chair； so that by the time Joan entered the door his composure was
recovered。 Her right fore…arm was clutched tightly in her left hand； while
the white cheeks； centred with the spots of flaming red； reminded him of
the time he had first seen her angry。
〃He hurt my arm；〃 she blurted out； in reply to his look of inquiry。
He smiled involuntarily。 It was so like her； so like the boy she was；
to come running to complain of the physical hurt which had been done her。
She was certainly not a woman versed in the ways of man and in the ways
of handling man。 The resounding slap she had given Tudor seemed still
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echoing in Sheldon's ears； and as he looked at the girl before him crying
out that her arm was hurt； his smile grew broader。
It was the smile that did it； convicting Joan in her own eyes of the
silliness of her cry and sending over her face the most amazing blush he
had ever seen。 Throat； cheeks； and forehead flamed with the rush of the
shamed blood。
〃Hehe〃 she attempted to vindicate her deeper indignation； then
whirled abruptly away and passed out the rear door and down the steps。
Sheldon sat and mused。 He was a trifle angry； and the more he dwelt
upon the happening the angrier he grew。 If it had been any woman
except Joan it would have been amusing。 But Joan was the last woman
in the world to attempt to kiss forcibly。 The thing smacked of the back
stairs anywaya sordid little comedy perhaps； but to have tried it on Joan
was nothing less than sacrilege。 The man should have had better sense。
Then； too； Sheldon was personally aggrieved。 He had been filched of
something that he felt was almost his； and his lover's jealousy was rampant
at thought of this forced familiarity。
It was while in this mood that the screen door banged loudly behind
the heels of Tudor； who strode into the room and paused before him。
Sheldon was unprepared； though it was very apparent that the other was
furious。
〃Well？〃 Tudor demanded defiantly。
And on the instant speech rushed to Sheldon's lips。
〃I hope you won't attempt anything like it again； that's all except that
I shall be only too happy any time to extend to you the courtesy of my
whale…boat。 It will land you in Tulagi in a few hours。〃
〃As if that would settle it；〃 was the retort。
〃I don't understand；〃 Sheldon said simply。
〃Then it is because you don'