"What will you tell him?"
"Goodness knows. What can I tell him? That Jack is fond of Carter and that Nan is not pledged to any one?"
Mary Lee shook her head doubtfully.
"What we do must be done quickly," declared Eleanor. "Once you are all out of this country, good-bye to Neal's chances."
"How long is he going to be here?"
"Don't know. I haven't had a chance to ask him. He can often stay till he is recalled, but no one knows the hour or minute that may be. This much is certain; he was certainly more interested in Nan than I have ever known him to be in any one. He didn't say so in so many words, but he said enough to make me sure of it, and I am convinced that he wouldn't have been so eager for opportunities of getting her off to herself if he hadn't been pretty far gone."
"Then why under the sun did he march off with Jack to-day without a word with Nan?"
"That is where you have me, my child. There is something queer and we have to find out. Suppose you tackle Jack and I will get at Neal. Between us we may be able to find out the truth."
Mary Lee agreed to this, but her opportunity did not come that day nor the next. Nan and Mr. Harding met with a polite greeting, much less effusive than that which had passed between the young man and Jack on his arrival. But for the furtive glances which he gave Nan, when he thought no one was looking, Eleanor and Mary Lee would have been convinced of his absolute indifference. Nan, herself, did not once look his way unless compelled to.