"
"It explained, I suppose, why I never had licked the stuffing out
of any other kid, and why you did not get very far in making a
man out of me as you promised," she mocked.
"Yes, and it explained how you happened to say you were eighteen.
By mistake you let the truth slip out. Course I wouldn't believe
it."
"I remember you didn't. I think you conveyed the impression to me
diplomatically that you had doubts."
"I said it was a lie," he laughed. "I sure do owe you a heap of
apologies for being so plumb dogmatic when you knew best. You'll
have to sit down on me hard once in a while, or there won't be
any living with me."
Blushingly she did some more ignoring. "That was the first time
you threatened to give me a whipping," she recalled aloud.
"My goodness! Did I ever talk so foolish?"
"You did, and meant it."
"But somehow I never did it. I wonder why I didn't."
"Perhaps I was so frail you were afraid you would break me."
"No, that wasn't it. In the back of my haid somewhere there was
an instinct that said: 'Bucky, you chump, if you don't keep your
hands off this kid you'll be right sorry all your life.
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