"I do not know that it can make any difference to you why I stay at home."
"But it does, however ignorant you may be on that point."
"Why should it?"
"You have not answered me," he said; "but I will be generous, and tell you why. I was coming yesterday to invite you myself, and heard that you were going with Burleigh Blood."
"Did you?" she asked, brightening visibly. "That was a lie I told, or rather a lie I didn't tell. How did you hear of it?"
"I heard Clarence Toxteth say so. Is your list of questions much longer?"
"If Bathalina doesn't stop singing such hymns," Patty said irrelevantly, "I know I shall murder her sooner or later."
"I would," he answered, looking at his watch. "I came for a book of your father's; but it is no matter to-day. I will have the horse at the gate in fifteen minutes. Can you be ready so soon?"
"Who said I'd go?" she laughed, springing up.
"Who asked you to?" he retorted.