Hugh
simulated a playful annoyance and began to scold; then a sort of
nervous fury came over him. He stamped and struck the table and
snarled at Pete. The young man rose at his place and stared at his
brother silently. There were two splotches of deep color on his
cheeks. Sylvie protested: "Don't, please, be so angry with him. I
was only teasing, just in fun. Bella, tell Hugh to stop. I had no
business to kiss Pete. But I just wanted to pet something."
Hugh's threatening suddenly stopped, and Pete sat down. In the
strained silence Bella laughed. Her laughter had the sound of a
snapped bow-string. Sylvie had pushed her chair back a little from
the table and was turning her head quickly from one to the other of
them. Her mouth showed a tremble of uncertainty. It was easy to see
that she sensed a tension, a confusion. Hugh leaned forward and broke
into a good-humored rattle of speech, and as Pete and Bella sat
silent, Sylvie gradually was reassured. Near the end of the meal she
put out her hand toward Pete.
"Please don't be so cross with me, Pete! Give me a shake for
forgiveness."
He touched her hand, his eyes lowered, and drew his fingers away.
She laughed.
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