Patty listened thoughtfully, feeling no hesitation in doing so, for she had only Azalea's good at heart and wanted to know anything that might help her understand the mystery that was certainly attached to the girl.
In the first place to whom could Azalea possibly be talking in that fashion? Moreover, her voice was troubled, and her tone was one of nervous apprehension and anxiety.
At last she returned to the group, and Patty said, pleasantly, "Who's your friend, Zaly?"
"Nobody in particular," and Azalea looked as if that were a question she had been dreading.
"You mean not a particular friend; but who was it?" Patty was persistent, even at risk of rousing Azalea's wrath, for she felt she must know.
"I won't tell you!" Azalea cried, stormily. "It's nobody's business if I answer a telephone call. I don't ask you who it is, every time you telephone!"
"All right, Zaly, forgive me,—I was a bit inquisitive."
And so the matter was dropped, but that night after Azalea had gone to her room, Patty came tapping at the door.
It was only after repeated knocking that Azalea opened the door a little way, and quite evidently resented the intrusion.
"I'm just going to bed," she said, ungraciously.