"He had something! You know you write them."
Mr. Loring frowned.
"Yes, and I know we aren't allowed to say so," pursued Adela.
"It's neither just nor kind to Dennison."
Miss Ferrars looked at him, her brows slightly raised.
"And you are both just and kind, really," he added.
"And you, Mr. Loring, are a wonderful man. You're not ashamed to be serious! Oh, yes, I've annoyed—you're quite right. I was—whatever I was—on the ninth of last March, and I think I'm too old to be lectured."
Tom Loring laughed, and, an instant later, Adela followed suit.
"I suppose it was horrid of me," she said. "Can't we turn it round and consider it as a compliment to you?"
Tom looked doubtful, but, before he could answer, Adela cried: