"What do you think Mr. Harding asked me the other day?" said Jack suddenly. "He wanted to know if Nan were engaged."
"What did you tell him?" Mary Lee asked quickly.
"I told him I didn't know. I knew there was some one greatly interested in her and in whom we thought she was interested, but she had never told any of us that she was actually engaged."
"Why did you tell him that?"
"Oh, because I wanted to let him know that blessed old Nan could have attention even if she were getting on."
"Oh, Jack, you ridiculous little goose; as if a girl only twenty-three could be said to be getting on. Nan is a mere child."
"Oh, Mary Lee, she doesn't seem so to me."
"She does to every one who has any sense. Just because she is the eldest you have fallen into the habit of thinking of her as an elderly person; the sooner you get out of it the better. Did Mr. Harding ask if you were engaged?"
"No."
"What would you have told him if he had asked?"