"Why not? Oh, I believe I can guess. I've heard how you saved Tara from a terrible death."
"No, not death, you see I am still here,—and of course it had to be one of us. Tara is so young and pretty, and all her people so fond of her, and no one would miss me. She's engaged to be married too."
"I know, and as for Archie Murray, he can't speak of it without choking."
"The engagement?"
"How can you joke? You know perfectly well what I mean, he is longing to come over to thank you."
"Miss Miller, as you love me!—no—I—I—whatever you do, don't let him. I hate thanks, if he comes I'll have another relapse! He'd have done just the same, if he was in my place."
"Very well, then, I'll do my best to protect you from Archie Murray, but it won't be easy! Have you heard from the Tallboys lately?"
"No, not for ages. I'm sorry to say I'm in Fred's black books; and that reminds me to ask, what I had done to be posted in yours, during the latter end of my stay in Madras?"
He paused for a reply, but none came. Miss Miller had become brilliantly pink, and was looking distinctly uncomfortable.
"Come now," he continued, "if I was rude to you the other day, I had some excuse,—but I shall be glad to hear what you have to say for cutting me dead, over and over again?"