to take the trouble, or thought that I mightn't like to be seen
hanging out clothes, and was only doing it out of kindness.

`Oh, it's no trouble,' I said, `let me hang 'em out. I like it.
I've hung out clothes at home on a windy day,' and I made a reach
into the basket. But she flushed red, with temper I thought,
and snatched the basket away.

`Excuse me, Mr Wilson,' she said, `but those things are not ready yet!'
and she marched into the wash-house.

`Ah well! you've got a little temper of your own,' I thought to myself.

When I told Jack, he said that I'd made another fool of myself.
He said I'd both disappointed and offended her. He said that my line
was to stand off a bit and be serious and melancholy in the background.

That evening when we'd started home, we stopped some time yarning with a chap
we met at the gate; and I happened to look back, and saw Mary
hanging out the rest of the things -- she thought that we were out of sight.
Then I understood why those things weren't ready while we were round.

For the next day or two Mary didn't take the slightest notice of me,
and I kept out of her way. Jack said I'd disillusioned her --
and hurt her dignity -- which was a thousand times worse.
He said I'd spoilt the thing altogether. He said that she'd got an idea
that I was shy and poetic, and I'd only shown myself
the usual sort of Bush-whacker.

I noticed her talking and chatting with other fellows once or twice,