Belding thrust the legs of his instrument into the ground. "I have an idea that he's telling you too much." The young man's eyes were hot with resentment.
"Jim, how dare you!"
"Well, where do I come in? You haven't been much interested in me the last year or so."
She flushed. "That's not fair. You know how fond I am of you."
"But Clark doesn't need you—and I do."
"Do you object to my having friends?" she said tremulously.
"Elsie, will you marry me to-morrow?" Belding's voice was shaky but in deadly earnest.
"What nonsense."
He shook his head. "It isn't to me,—I mean it. There is no one else.
There never will be. Can't you realize that?"
"I don't want to be married—now—" she said slowly.