"No, I suppose not," he replied; "but I can't help it. I hate him! There is something about him that—that——"
He hesitated.
"Well?"
"That makes me afraid. I felt while he was talking as if I was being smothered! Don't you know what I mean?"
"Yes," said Stella, quickly.
It was that she had felt herself sometimes, when Jasper's low, smooth voice was in her ears. But she felt that it was foolish to encourage the boy's fancy.
"But that is nonsense!" she said. "He is very kind and considerate. He has sent me some beautiful flowers——"
"He has?" he said, gloomily.
"And this music."