But, she reflected, all’s fair in love and war, and if she could find out something that her Little Billee wanted to know, it surely could not be wrong.
“Please, Lieutenant Herron,” she said, at last drawing away her hands; “I know I have only to remind you that you are talking to the affianced wife of another man to make you realise what you are doing. As a soldier and a gentleman you will not, I am sure, continue such avowals. Please, don’t, and I will promise to forget what you have just said. Did you come on an errand?”
“Only this. My only errand is to tell you of my love and beg for a ray of hope.”
It was not going to be so easy, after all, Patty discovered, but she said, gently, “There is no ray of hope for you, Mr. Herron, and I am sure it is the kindest thing to tell you so at once. I am appreciative of your regard, but I am also exceedingly surprised. I cannot feel that I have given you any encouragement or any reason to think I have an especial interest in you.”
“No,—you haven’t given me what could be called encouragement, I know, and I suppose I ought to have known better than to fall over head and ears in love with your exquisite face and winning personality. But we cannot rule our hearts always, and the moment I saw you I knew it was all up with me.”
The frank, boyish face was pathetic in its utter woe, and Patty felt truly sorry for him.
“I think,” she said, smiling, “the best thing to do is to drop this subject right here and now. Indeed I must insist on your doing so if I continue to talk to you. Where are you stationed now?”
“I don’t know,—I’m on the jump. I say, Miss Fairfield, I’m all broken up. I guess I’ll go away.”
“Very well, Mr. Herron. Make up your mind to forget this little episode and I will do the same. By the way, do you think you played quite fair the day we were at the Country Club?”
“Oh, that. No, I don’t. But I was so anxious to be with you, that I took any opportunity that offered.”