Mrs. Dibbott was full of sympathy. "I suppose it serves me right for poking my nose into other people's business. My, but I'm sorry! What's the matter with Elsie?"
"Nothing."
"Then with you?"
"Nothing."
"May an old woman make a fool of herself?"
"Please—but it won't be that."
"Then has Elsie found some one else—if you don't mind my asking?"
"Possibly,—I can't say."
"But you're the only man in town who takes her anywhere. The judge is fond of you, he told me so, and Mrs. Worden thinks you are the whole world. What's the matter, Jimmy?"
Belding got rather red. "I'm afraid I can't say."