“That’s what Ran was complaining of a few days ago,” Nan told him. Just because she was the eldest, the most grown up, why should they want to monopolize her? “You see,” she went on, “we generally are all in a bunch together, and there isn’t any seeing of any one in particular.”
“Oh, yes, there is,” replied the doctor with meaning.
Nan flushed. There were times, she well knew, when she had stolen off as she had done this morning, and there had been other times when the violin had been played to her alone, but with quick wit she turned the tables on the doctor. “Do you know,” she began, “that all summer I have been hoarding up a grievance against you?”
“You have?” The doctor looked genuinely surprised.
“Yes. What business had you lightly to give away my confidence?”
“My dear Nan,” the young man looked distressed, “what do you mean? When did I ever do such an iniquitous thing?”
“When you told Mr. Wells about little Nan Corner and her Place o’ Pines.”
The doctor looked overwhelmed with remorse. “I am in dust and ashes,” he said. “I acknowledge my offense. It has been on my conscience all summer, but I thought you seemed quite satisfied, and I was relieved that you didn’t resent it. I suppose I told it at some time when I was waxing enthusiastic over my friends at home, over you, Nan—I do that once in a while—and one of the entertaining tales I told to show how original you are was about your music and Place o’ Pines. I never dreamed Marc would notice the name, or, if he did, that he would use it, or using it, that you would ever hear of it.”
“Oh, yes, I understand. Can’t you think up a few more excuses?” Nan inquired, rather enjoying the situation.
“Oh, I could, if those are not enough. I really never gave a thought to the possibility of the thing’s coming out as it did, but it was pretty mean of me to shout abroad your little secret, that you had told me in confidence. I ought to have known you would treasure it, even when you grew older. Indeed, Nan, I’m awfully sorry. I will get Marc to change the name if you say so. He will do it in a moment if he thinks you care.”