"I don't withstand her. You have no idea how much I enjoyed an afternoon I had with her at the Fair last week; but Jack was remarkably short with me that evening, and I fancied I had trespassed on his preserves."
"Not a bit of it. He must be a dog in the manger."
"Why, I'm very sure he is hard hit in that direction."
"Oh, where are a man's eyes, I wonder! I haven't been here very long, but long enough to discover the truth."
"I suppose you want me to ask you what truth?"
"No, I don't, my dear." Mrs. Page reopened her book.
"You are not hinting at—at—Mrs. Van Tassel?" Gorham spoke in a hushed tone.
"Just observe for yourself," said Hilda sententiously.
"You ought not to have such a thought."
Mrs. Page looked up, wondering at this severity. "Why, if you please? You surely haven't an idea that that young creature is going to sacrifice the rest of her life to a memory of duty done?"