Of course poor Selina looked for no sacrifice
nor heroics whatever ; she did n't even want him
to say he was sorry. If he would only make it
up, she would have done the apologising part
herself. But that was not a boy's way. Some-
thing solid, Harold felt, was due from him ; and
until that was achieved, making-up must not
be thought of, in order that the final effect

might not be spoilt. Accordingly, when his

226



A FALLING OUT

release came, and Selina hung about trying to
catch his eye, Harold, possessed by the demon
of a distorted motive, avoided her steadily —
though he was bleeding inwardly at every
minute of delay — and came to me instead.
Needless to say, I warmly approved his plan.
It was so much more high-toned than just
going and making- up tamely, which any one
could do; and a girl who had been jobbed
in the ribs by a hostile elbow could not be
expected for a moment to overlook it, without
the liniment of an offering to soothe her injured
feelings.
' I know what she wants most,' said Harold.
