"He's probably devoted to dozens of girls," Ruth said, lightly, "all waiting for a personal word from him. He's probably quite a Lothario, only little sisters aren't supposed to know that."
"I don't exactly remember what a Lothario is," Elizabeth said, "but if you mean that he's a flirt and I don't know it, you're just awfully mistaken. I know things about Buddy that nobody else knows, that he doesn't even know that I know. I know what he's like, too, inside."
"You think he's very nice inside, don't you?"
"Yes," said Elizabeth, a little hostilely.
"Well, I'll tell you a secret," said Ruth Farraday, still very lightly and gayly. "I do, too."
"Then why—why do you go to Provincetown and things with Mr. Piggy Chambers?"
"Mr—Mr. who? Really, that's too bad of Peggy. I'll have to speak to her." Ruth Farraday seemed to have a sudden little coating of ice all over her. "Would you mind telling Peggy that I want to speak to her alone a minute?"
Elizabeth obeyed meekly and so miserably that Mr. Chambers, at whose side she lingered, since there was nothing to do but take Peggy's place with him, asked her what was wrong.
"I'm not feeling very well," Elizabeth said, "the sun is so bright."
"I find her rather bright myself," Mr. Piggy Chambers murmured. "Would you like to do me a great favour?"