"You did not understand what I said," he remarked. "I didn't mean—"
"I beg your pardon," she interrupted, turning toward him. "I was thinking of something I was talking about with Alice, and I didn't mind what you did say."
"I am sorry that I interrupted."
"Oh, everybody interrupts at an afternoon tea," she responded, smiling. "That is what we are here for, I suppose. I was simply in a cloud—"
Fairfield returned her smile with interest.
"Is that an allusion?"
May flushed a little, and put her hand consciously to the carnation at her throat.
"Oh, no," she answered, with a little too much eagerness. "I can talk of something beside that book. Though of course," she added, "I do think it is a perfectly wonderful story. There is so much heart in it. Why, I have read it so much that I know parts of it almost word for word."
"Then you don't think it is cynical?"
"Oh, not the least in the world! How can anybody say that? I am ashamed of you, Mr. Fairfield."