The others of the party had not failed to take in the significance of the words they had heard, and it was with no small difficulty that they repressed a hilarious burst of laughter. Indeed the girls were unable to refrain entirely from laughing, and Hodge smiled in a weary, derisive way, saying:
“Some people never know how really amusing they are. They go through the world thinking they are having fun with everybody else, and all the while they are making a show of themselves.”
Fanny Darling jumped up quickly.
“Come, Mr. Hegner,” she said, her voice not quite steady; “I do not care to sit here.”
Hegner said something in a growling tone, and they moved away.
“It’s too bad,” said Frank; “but we are not to blame. We could not help hearing.”
“I don’t know as it’s too bad,” declared Mabel. “They should be careful what they say. I can’t bear Wallace Hegner, and I do not understand what there is about him that interests Fanny. But she is queer, anyway.”
“It doesn’t strike me that she is very agreeable,” said Bart.
“If she takes a fancy, she can be awfully hateful; but she is good-hearted, and when she likes a person she would do anything in her power for him. It’s too bad she is so freakish.”
“She is just saucy enough to be amusing,” declared Frank. “I do not mind it in the least.”