Philip smiled. "Surely you have noticed that Miss Emerson is not averse to assuming all responsibility?"
"Mr. Barrison," said Diana gravely, "I hope when I am—am elderly and unmarried, that I shall not seek to attract men."
"Miss Wilbur," returned Philip, with a solemnity fitting hers, and regarding the symmetry and grace of her lovely head, "don't spend any time worrying about that; for some inner voice assures me that you will never be elderly and unmarried."
"The future is on the knees of the gods," she returned serenely.
"Then I don't need to lose any sleep on account of your posing for one of Mr. Gayne's wonderful sketches?"
Diana brought the brown velvet of her eyes to bear fully upon him. It even seemed hopeful that a spark would glow in them.
"I loathe the man," she said slowly.
"Forgive me, divine one. Well, I must go now. Why won't you take me home? I should like you to meet my grandmother, and think of the pitfalls and mantraps of the island road if I risk myself alone: Bill Lindsay's Ford! Marley Hughes's bicycle! Lou Buell's gray mare taking him to mend somebody's broken pipe! Matt Blake's express wagon! Come and keep my courage up."
"You have a grandmother on this island?"