KIPPS
"But what do you break it for?" said Ann. "It's no good if it's broke."
"It's a Token," said Kipps.
"Like. . .?"
"Oh, you keep half and I keep half, and when we're sep'rated you look at your half and I look at mine—see! Then we think of each other."
"Oh!" said Ann, and appeared to assimilate this information.
"Only I can't get it in 'arf nohow," said Kipps.
They discussed this difficulty for some time without illumination. Then Ann had a happy thought. "Tell you what," she said, starting away from him abruptly and laying a hand on his arm, "you let me 'ave it, Artie. I know where father keeps his file."
Kipps handed her the sixpence, and they came upon a pause.
"I'll easy do it," said Ann.
In considering the sixpence side by side, his head had come near her cheek. Quite abruptly he was moved to take his next step into the unknown mysteries of love.
"Ann," he said, and gulped at his temerity, "I do love you. Straight. I'd do anything for you, Ann. Reely—I would."
He paused for breath. She answered nothing, but she was no doubt enjoying herself. He came yet closer to her—his shoulder touched hers. "Ann, I wish you'd———"
He stopped.
"What?" said Ann.
"Ann—lemme kiss you."
28
