As they swung into the chorus, the girls, laughing but enjoying it all thoroughly, pulled flowers that they had picked that day from the garden from their dresses and threw them down. The chorus ended, and the girls clapped. The boys laughed up at them, and others in the courtyard who had been attracted by the music called for more.
It was all very gay and happy. The boys did sing an encore, and then as Alice and Adair came out on the veranda they broke off, and Walter went up the steps and introduced himself and his friends. The girls came down and they all had a merry evening together, talking over the million and one things that had been happening.
It was not until the afternoon of the next day, that Nan and Walter had a moment alone together. Then she told him the story of her missing ring.
“Then the cook didn’t actually tell you that he took it?” Walter asked at the end.
“No, but he implied it,” Nan answered, “and I’m as sure he did as I am certain that he is not to be blamed.”
Walter couldn’t restrain the smile that came at this. Nan always trusted people, always felt that there was good in everyone. This was one of the things that first attracted Walter to her. Somehow, she, unlike many others her own age, never found enjoyment in criticising others. She seemed to understand their faults and to be able to explain them sympathetically no matter what they were. Now, in talking of the man whom she felt sure had stolen her ring, she honestly believed that, in doing so, he had been influenced by conditions over which he had no control. She felt sorry for him, and didn’t want to do him any injury. This was one of the big reasons why she had pledged Walker Jamieson to secrecy.
“And what does Mr. MacKenzie think of all of this?” Walter asked just before Nan left him to dress for dinner.
“Oh, he doesn’t know anything about it at all,” Nan hastened to explain, “and I don’t want you to say a thing. This is all a secret until—until—until—”
“Until what?” Walter looked at the young girl curiously, as she stopped midway in her sentence.
“Until it’s solved,” Nan smiled at her friend, and then refused to explain further.