Mildred and Jack were walking in front of them.
"Isn't this like old times, Mildred?" asked the latter with a relish, clapping his hat on tighter as the sweep of the wind threatened it.
"Just about as unlike as we could imagine. Sorry to disagree with you, Jack."
"Don't mention it. You don't disagree with me, my child. I have enjoyed this first evening with you immensely."
"First evening is pretty good, isn't it?" suggested the girl, and they both laughed. "You didn't use to quarrel for my society," she added.
"I want you to understand that I wasn't quarreling with you there, a few hours back, at the Marine Café."
"Oh!"
"No, I was merely making the excusable protest of an old friend,—speaking in a brotherly way, you know."
"Oh, it won't do, Jack." He knew exactly how she was smiling in the darkness. "It is my unalterable rule never to be a sister to any of them. I can't break over it for you."
"Them!" ejaculated her companion. "I don't thank you to class me with Tom, Dick, and Harry, and the rest of these late arrivals. Remember, I was the first-comer into your friendship."