I think. There was thick dark-green ivy all round the window,
and Mary looked prettier than a picture. I squared up my shoulders
and put my heels together and put as much style as I could into the work.
I couldn't have turned round to save my life.

Presently Jack came round, and Mary disappeared.

`Well?' he whispered.

`You're a fool, Jack,' I said. `She's only interested in the old house
being pulled down.'

`That's all right,' he said. `I've been keeping an eye on the business
round the corner, and she ain't interested when I'M round this end.'

`You seem mighty interested in the business,' I said.

`Yes,' said Jack. `This sort of thing just suits a man of my rank
in times of peace.'

`What made you think of the window?' I asked.

`Oh, that's as simple as striking matches. I'm up to all those dodges.
Why, where there wasn't a window, I've fixed up a piece of looking-glass
to see if a girl was taking any notice of me when she thought
I wasn't looking.'

He went away, and presently Mary was at the window again, and this time
she had a tray with cups of tea and a plate of cake and bread-and-butter.
I was prizing off the strips that held the sash, very carefully,