making a scene, which every well-bred girl feels, no matter how
strong the provocation. She would make a purchase to gain time, and
then turn back to the bank building.

She bought something she was in no need of, and prolonged the
transaction to an interminable length, to the no small disgust of
the salesgirl. When she got back to the machine, Sid was smiling
more broadly than before.

He had taken her place at the wheel.

"You won't mind me driving as far as the bank building, will you?"
he said. "I really must get a new car. I miss mine so much, and it's
in bad shape since you--er--tried to smash me."

"I did nothing of the sort. It was your own fault."

"There, there," he said soothingly. "We mustn't quarrel."

Cora felt herself growing pale. She repressed a stinging reply, and
without a word took a seat in the tonneau.

"Oh, so you won't sit beside me?" he asked as he started the car.
"What makes you dislike me so, Cora? You and I used to pull a pretty
good stroke, but lately you simply won't look at me."

"I don't dislike you. At least, I did not until this morning."

"Still angry," he taunted. "Now, I call that mean. Why do you go
off riding with a common mechanic?"