“Yes,” said Millicent frankly; “and then Mr. Grimshaw went right over to the Coopers’, hunting!”
Miss Frink gave her rare laugh. Millicent was so pretty against the apple blossoms, and so genuinely disturbed, and Hugh so handsome and amused, she thoroughly enjoyed the situation.
“Didn’t I say you set all the geese to cackling? I will call a town meeting and announce that there is nothing in it. How will that do?”
Millicent struggled not to feel embarrassed. “With your X-ray mind you’ll know there isn’t,” she returned, with more spirit than Hugh had given her credit for.
Colonel Duane reappeared with another tray. It bore tea and little cakes this time. Miss Frink liked the way his granddaughter sprang to his assistance and arranged everything on the porch table. Colonel Duane was a gentleman of the old school and his breeding showed in Millicent. She liked their simplicity and fineness. The girl’s job was never safer.
When tea was served, Millicent opened a subject near her heart.
“Miss Frink,” she said, “will you let me beg a favor of you?”
“Certainly. Speak right up.”
“It is about Damaris. I have experimented, and I can fix her hair so you would never know it was bobbed.”