“I must go on home,” Blue Bonnet answered hurriedly.
“You’re getting dreadfully well-behaved all at once, Elizabeth,” Kitty protested; “luckily, it won’t last long.”
“Good-bye,” Blue Bonnet answered. And because she felt herself a coward and despised herself accordingly, she went on up the street at even a brisker pace than usual with head held very high.
Near her own gate, Alec overtook her. “You have been making a speed record,” he laughed; “what’s up?”
“Nothing.”
“Go tell that to your grandmother! Come on over,” he added as Blue Bonnet halted, her hand on the gate. “It’s baking-day, and our west piazza’s a jolly place this time of the afternoon.”
“I reckon I ought to go study,” Blue Bonnet said; but she went on with Alec.
The Trent west piazza was broad and square; a big hammock hung at either end; there were low, comfortable chairs and one or two tables, littered with books and magazines.
Alec brought out a plate of Norah’s fresh cookies and a dish of apples.
Blue Bonnet leaned back in a big wicker rocker, looking out across the leaf-strewn lawn in silence. Alec watched her wonderingly; something had gone wrong.