"Maybe I've let the cat out, then. Well—it's true just the same. That's the way he talks now. Hadn't we better sit down?"
"Oh, I'm awfully rude. Sit here."
She drew forth as comfortable a chair as the room afforded.
"You took me so by surprise that I forgot my manners."
"I expected to find you over-stocked on 'em, to tell the truth. My, but you look grown up! What have you been doing to your hair? Does Miss Clyde stand for that?"
"Aunt Lucinda hasn't seen it yet. It's something new."
"The We Are Sevens are still clinging to hair-ribbons. I saw Kitty Clark this morning. She was on her way to school."
"You did? I'm wild to see the girls. I'm going home next week to stay over Sunday. That is, I am, if I can manage to keep the rules. I'm doing penance this week."
Alec gave a low whistle.
"What have you been up to?" he asked.