"Fiddlesticks!" said Elise, gaily. "Never mind, Azalea, I'll take your joke in good part."
For Elise had suddenly decided that she didn't want to spoil Patty's Fair by having a quarrel with her guest. So, though a good deal perturbed by the sampler incident, she preferred to drop the subject.
Azalea understood, and was glad to be let off so easily, though she felt sure Elise would tell Patty all about it later.
With Azalea, however, out of sight was out of mind, and she walked away with young Gale in a merry mood.
As they strolled along, a man stepped toward them, and raising his cap in a respectful way, asked Azalea if he might have a few words with her, alone.
He had a business-like air, and though polite, was, quite evidently, not a man of social position.
Gale stared at him, and Azalea grew very red and confused.
"I—well—not just now," she said, hesitatingly. "I'll see you some other time."
"No, miss, that won't do," The man was courteous, but decided,—and had a manner that bespoke authority.
"If I'm in the way, I'll vanish," Raymond said, laughing a little.