"I have a bone to pick with you," said Mrs Bosenna, as she and Cai took their way leisurably across the field.
Cai groaned at thought of those unhappy letters.
But Mrs Bosenna made no allusion to the letters.
"You have not been near Rilla for weeks," she went on, reproachfully.
Cai glanced at her. "I thought—I was afraid you were offended," he said, his heart quickening its beat.
"Well, and so I was. To begin brawling as you did in a lady's presence—and two such friends as I'd always supposed you to be! It was shocking. Now, wasn't it?"
"It has made me miserable enough," pleaded Cai.
"And so it ought. . . . I don't know that I should be forgiving you now," added Mrs Bosenna demurely, "if it didn't happen that I wanted advice."
"My advice?" asked Cai incredulous.
"It's a business matter. Women, you know, are so helpless where business is concerned." (Oh, Mrs Bosenna!)