“Oh, just wandering round the grounds,” he answered.
“You did not dance.”
“Without you!” His voice was full of tender reproach.
“Oh, Bart! I couldn’t help it,” she told him. “Mrs. Parker asked me to dance with him that time, and how could I refuse?”
“Why was she so anxious?”
“He is her nephew.”
“Good gracious!” exclaimed Bart; but that was all he said, though he was thinking that Mrs. Parker might not recognize her nephew if she could see him just then.
“I was afraid you would not understand,” said Elsie. “You see what an awkward position I was in. I didn’t have enough wit to tell a fib and say I had promised you.”
“I am glad you did not tell a fib, Elsie. Even a white fib would seem out of place on your lips.”
“But were you angry with me?”