“Then you are going, too?” asked Elsie quickly.
“We’ve talked about it. Frank wants me to go. You know how we’re going to take you.”
Elsie shook her head, sadly yet firmly.
“I couldn’t take the trip,” she said. “It would be too much for me—now.”
A shadow came to Bart’s face.
“Why, Elsie——”
“Please, please don’t urge me, Bart!” she entreated. “You know I’d be glad to go, but you cannot know how disappointed I am because I cannot.”
“I’ll have to talk to you alone,” said Hodge grimly. “I’ll have to get some foolish notions out of your head, little girl.”
“I hope you can!” cried Inza.
“Leave it to me,” he said.