“Oh! I can’t!”
“Say it!”
The commanding officer conquered, and unable to avoid the issue, Patty said, in a meek little voice, “I’m far too good for you.”
“Of course, you are! Now, what’s this other matter, and then we can go out to the party proper. I’m afraid they’ll come after us if we don’t.”
“It’s nothing,” and Patty faced him squarely, and beamed into his wondering face. “Yes, I mean that. But I’ll tell you. I saw a packet of love letters in your chiffonier, and I just want to tell you that I know it’s all right, and I’m—n-not jealous! I am not!”
“Oh, you Blossom-faced little goose! Oh, Patty Precious, thank you for dem kind woids! Those letters, as you so sapiently assume, are not of a nature to rouse your jealousy.”
And he told her what they were and of Lena’s request to leave them there for a time.
“And I forgot all about them,” he concluded his tale, “nor would I have expected you to doubt my faithfulness and loyalty if you did see them.”
“I didn’t,” said Patty happily.
“No, you didn’t, but it was a narrow squeak!”