Barnes turned away with an uncontrollable snicker. Gladwin was stunned. As he saw her leaving him he made a last desperate effort:
“But just a moment. Please allow me to explain. I said I wanted you to marry Travers Gladwin, because I am”–––
“I don’t care why you said it,” she flung at him, “because I don’t think you know what you are saying.”
She fairly sailed through the portières, leaving the young man staring after her in a state of utter mental collapse.
The little cousin had listened to this impassioned dialogue in the attitude of a frightened bird, standing first on one foot and then on the other, struggling with all her small nervous force to hold back the tears. As Helen disappeared, a sob escaped her and she ran forward. Barnes started after her.
“Oh, Miss Sadie––just one word!”
“Oh, don’t––please don’t!” she wailed over her shoulder.
“But won’t you let me call on you––just once?” he pleaded, in real distress.
Sadie stopped, gave him one frightened glance, smiled through her tears and burst out: