Sue Coleman had met him several times through the course of the winter, and pronounced him "magnificent," in her enthusiastic fashion. Indeed, he was the kind of man to be very attractive to young girls. She bowed now in her most gracious manner. Belle bit her lip angrily. If she had taken up Kathie instead of that insignificant little gossiping Lottie Thorne! Her mother had been to call at Cedarwood, but it wasn't at all likely that she would be invited within its charmed precincts. Of course she said she did not care; but there was a gnawing jealousy at her heart.
Uncle Robert was so in the habit of coming for Kathie that she sprang in, nodded a gay farewell to the group, and went on for some distance before she thought it anything more than a pleasure drive.
Suddenly her heart gave a quick bound. "You are going to the Darrells'?" she said.
"Yes." Disguise it as he might, there was a glow in the half-averted eyes.
"O, Mr. Meredith hasn't—come home!"
"Hasn't he? Are you quite sure?"—with a little smile.
"O Uncle Robert!"
"They came at twelve. I was in there half an hour, when he insisted that I should drive over for you."
It was very flattering to be remembered first of all; and yet there was something connected with it which made Kathie's heart beat in an unwonted manner, and a quiver came into her throat almost as if she wanted to cry. Six months ago!—how much had happened since then!