"Birdie come here that day," he said slowly. "She wanted to see Clarke for a friend of hers. Nance did he—did he ever ask you to kiss him?"
"Yes."
Dan groaned.
"Why didn't you tell me all this before, Nance? Why didn't you give me a chance to put you on your guard?"
"I was on my guard!" she cried, with rising anger. "I don't need anybody to take care of me!"
But Dan was too absorbed in his own thoughts to heed her.
"It's a good thing he's going away in a couple of days," he said grimly.
"If ever the blackguard writes to you, or dares to speak to you again—"
Nance had risen and was facing him.
"Who's to stop him?" she asked furiously. "I'm the one to say the word, and not you!"
"And you won't let me take it up with him?"