an'—well,Idunno—'
'Nevermind,oldcock.Icanstandmorethanthetaslongasyerlovesme.'
Hekissedherandtheywerequitefriendsagain.ButthelittlequarrelhadanothereffectwhichwasworseforLiza.Whenshewokeupnextmorningshenoticedaslightsorenessovertheridgeofboneunderthelefteye,andonlookingintheglasssawthatitwasblackandblueandgreen.Shebathedit,butitremained,andseemedtogetmoremarked.Shewasterrifiedlestpeopleshouldseeit,andkeptindoorsalldaybutnextmorningitwasblackerthanever.Shewenttothefactorywithherhatoverhereyesandherheadbentdownsheescapedobservation,butonthewayhomeshewasnotsolucky.Thesharpeyesofsomegirlsnoticeditfirst.
'Wot'sthematterwithyereye?'askedoneofthem.
'Me?'answeredLiza,puttingherhandupasifinignorance.'Nothin'thetIknowsof.'
Twoorthreeyoungmenwerestandingby,andhearingthegirl,lookedup.
'Why,yer'vegotablackeye,Liza!'
'Me?Iain'tgotnoblackeye!'
'Yusyou'ave'owd'yergetit?'
'Idunno,'saidLiza.'Ididn'tknowI'adone.'
'Garn!tellusanother!'wastheanswer.'Onedoesn'tgitablackeyewithoutknowin''owtheygotit.'
'Well,IdidfallagainstthechestofdrawersyesterdayIsupposeImust'avegotitthen.'
'Ohyes,webelievethet,don'twe?'
'Ididn'tknow'ewasso'andywith'isdukes,didyou,Ted?'askedonemanofanother.
Lizafeltherselfgrowredtothetipsofhertoes.
'Who?'sheasked.
'Neveryoumindnobodyyouknow.'
AtthatmomentJim'swifepassedandlookedatherwithascowl.Lizawishedherselfahundredmilesaway,andblushedmoreviolentlythanever.
'Wotareyerblushin'abaht?'ingenuouslyaskedoneofthegirls.
AndtheyalllookedfromhertoMrs.Blakestonandbackagain.Someonesaid:''OwabahtourSundaybootsonnow?'Andatitterwentthroughthem.Liza'snervedesertedhershecouldthinkofnothingtosay,andasobburstfromher.Tohidethetearswhichwerecomingfromhereyessheturnedawayandwalkedhomewards.Immediatelyagreatshoutoflaughterbrokefromthegroup,andsheheardthempositivelyscreamingtillshegotintoherownhouse.