“But I can’t tell you the reason,” he protested. “It’s better that I should not tell you. It will simply annoy you and hurt your feelings.”
“Instead of that, Hal, I feel confident that it would justify you in some degree in my eyes. How could it annoy me?”
“Because you are concerned.”
“I?” she exclaimed in surprise.
“Yes.”
“How is that possible? Now, you must tell me. I will never be contented until you do.”
Suddenly he turned and faced her, and in his eyes she saw the old-time look of admiration, which he could not conceal.
“Doris, it would have been better for us had we never known Dick Merriwell. You liked me before you met him.”
Quickly her hand fell on his arm.
“I liked you then, Hal, and I like you still.”