“Ted, I simply couldn’t go.”
He smiled while his eyes wandered over her fingers.
“I don’t notice either a diamond or a frat-pin,” he replied, teasingly.
“No; but, nevertheless, Ted, I’m practically engaged.”
“What, ho!” he exclaimed, in a low tone of surprise. “Freda, girl, are you genuine?”
“I really mean it, Ted.”
“Dear heavens!” he mused. “Incidentally, though, my congratulations! Is it a secret?”
“Yes, just at present.”
“Then, I’ll regard it so. But to think of the partner of my youthful adventures being no longer available. Well,” he added in a voice unusually serious for him, “Somebody’s lucky.”
“Why! You know you don’t care,” she rejoined offhandedly.