He looked at her for a moment with as close an approach to a frown as was possible for his face to assume, and something very like a threat of jealousy in his voice.
"Sometimes, Maria, I believe you love that old Doctor of yours more than you do me!"
"I don't know. Maybe I do, but it ain't the same. You see, he needs me, because he's old and sick, and all alone, and you--just look at yourself--red-faced, an' strong, an' jolly, an' handsome. You may want me, Mr. Barnes, but you don't need nobody."
Mr. Barnes tried to assume an injured look at this, but only succeeded in grinning cheerfully, so he gave it up, and decided to make the best of things. His life in the Navy had taught him the virtue of loyalty, and in his heart he loved all the better for her devotion.
"Well, Maria, you're the boss. I ain't kicking, but it's tough. Never mind; you get off to-night, and we'll have a good time, anyhow. I'll take you to the Hippodrome."
"Oh! Won't that be fine? I can get away all right, because Dr. Crossett is here, and they wouldn't want me around anyway. We'll have the best time in the world!"
Whatever disappointment the sailor might have felt was overshadowed by her happiness, and he started to describe in advance some of the wonders they were to see that night, when a ring at the bell interrupted them.
"Darn the door," exclaimed Maria rather emphatically. "You wait here till I see who it is." As she started toward the hall Barnes tried to kiss her, but she avoided him laughingly, and turned at the door, looking back at him and shaking her head reproachfully.
"You ought to be ashamed, Mr. Barnes. You sailors are awful!"
She left the room, Barnes looking after her, very much flattered. Like other bashful men, the idea that he was looked upon as a dangerous ladies' man was enough to make him completely happy; had he been called a brave fellow he would have taken it quite as a matter of course.
At the door Maria found John Dorris, and as she admitted him he stopped to ask anxiously,
Since John's return from his unsuccessful journey he had done his best to keep in touch with the Doctor, although he had the feeling that his presence was not always quite welcome, or at least that the sight of him did more to remind the Doctor of Lola and to disturb him than it did to bring him any comfort.