Mona had a wheedling way with her, and Kenneth smiled a little as he escorted her down the steps and along a side path through the grounds.
“You think I’m a queer girl, don’t you, Mr. Harper?” she began, as they strolled along under the trees.
“If I did, you couldn’t expect me to tell you so, Miss Galbraith,” he parried.
“Well, even if you haven’t thought so before, you will now;” and Mona gave a determined shake of her head. “But I don’t care if you do. I want you to answer me a question. What did Miss Farrington tell you that Patty Fairfield had said, and you returned that you didn’t believe Patty said it?”
Now Kenneth was an exceedingly well-mannered young man, but he was certainly taken aback by this question flung at him so suddenly by a comparative stranger, and he was tempted to reply so plainly that she must think him rude. But, after a moment’s hesitation, he modified his intentions, and only said:
“I’m sorry to have you think me queer, Miss Galbraith, but, even at that risk, I must decline to answer such a very personal question. And, too——”
“And, too,” repeated Mona, stopping and turning to look squarely at him, “you were going to say, that I’m an eavesdropper, and, except for your inability to be so rude, you would tell me so.”
Kenneth was amazed at the girl’s intuition, but he said honestly, “You are very nearly right, Miss Galbraith.”
“Very nearly right? I’m exactly right, and you know it! Now let me tell you, Mr. Kenneth Harper, I don’t care one snip-jack for your opinion of me, and you may think just exactly what you choose! But I have another’s interest at heart, and I’m perfectly justified in asking you the question I did ask. Please tell me.”
At the last words Mona’s voice sank to a pleading whisper, and there was such heartfelt urgency in her voice that he was moved against his will.