"Well—I'll—be darned. You both rode out of the office on the same white palfrey! When's the wedding?"
"Will you please get out of this room?"
"Not on your life. Not till I hear the whole thrilling tale. Are you engaged, Anne?"
"No. Will you stop?"
"What'll you bet that you won't be inside a month?"
Anne did not answer.
"All right. It would be a shame to take the money. Why, if dad had tips like that we'd have been rich long ago. What'll you bet, then, that he doesn't ask you?"
Anne's lips trembled. "Belle, please stop joking like that."
"But, kiddie, the most wily flirt in the world couldn't have done better. Any man would be flattered to death. You don't suppose he's going to let a kindred soul—and a pretty one—slip out of his life, do you? He'll look you up, anyhow."
"No, he won't. I won't be here. I'm—I'm going to take a vacation," Anne added in a sudden decision that startled herself.