Evie's eyes brimmed suddenly, and her lip trembled.
"If you're going to be cross about it—"
"I'm not going to be cross about it, but I want you to tell me exactly what you're doing."
"Well, I'm telling you. I've broken my engagement, and I want to let Billy know it in the kindest way. I don't want to hurt his feelings. You wouldn't like me to do that yourself. I'm trying to bring him where he'll see things just as I do."
"And may I ask if you're—getting him there?"
"I shall get him there in time. I'm doing lots of things to show him."
"Such as what?"
"Such as not asking him to the dinner, for one thing. He'll know from that there's something wrong. He'll make a fuss, and I shall be disagreeable. Little by little he'll get to dislike me—and then—"
"And how long do you think it will take for that good work to be accomplished?"
"I don't see that that matters. I suppose I may take all the time I need. We're both young—"