"And so help me face the silence?"
"It is grand to face wrong things for right reasons!" said Cherry, her eyes like two opals, showing their hidden fire. "'And they departed from the Council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.'"
Magnus looked at her.
"Yes, talk to me," he said. "I want all the talking to I can get. But I can tell you, Cerise—do you mind my calling you so?"—he broke off abruptly.
"Why, no," the girl answered. "It does not sound quite natural."
"Not like old times—no, of course not. Well, would you like Chérie better? I think I should," said Mr. Kindred, watching the pink tinges with a delightful sense of having the reins in his own hands again. "It is more closely descriptive, and just as good for my French."
"You are without question the most absurd boy this side of West Point!" said Cherry. "Have you emptied your strawberry basket? I must put these things away."
"We must, indeed," said Magnus, handling dishes and bearing them off into the house. "You know I have come to take you back with me?"
"Have you! It might have been wise—not to say civil—to state that before."
"But I don't want to go," said Magnus. "I'd rather have you all to myself here."