"Oh, no, it's only a rumor. Why ever not? If I loved a fellow as you think you love Danby, I'd get married quick enough."
"Well, you didn't——"
"That's enough of you," said Jenny, sitting up in bed. "No, I know I didn't. But that was different."
"Why was it different? My Danby's a gentleman."
"Yes, when he's asleep. He can't be much or he wouldn't have dressed you up such a sight. I'd like to see a man make such a poppy-show of me," cried Jenny, indignant at the recollection of the incident.
"Oh, well, he doesn't do it now," said Irene pacifically. "Aren't you coming out with us?"
"You're very free all of a sudden with your Danby," Jenny continued mockingly. "I remember when you was afraid for your life some girl would carry him off under your nose. Yet you let him go all the time to France. I think you're silly."
Jenny could not refrain from teasing Irene. The habit was firmly established and, although she had not now the sense of outraged independence which prompted her attitude in old days, she kept it up because such rallying was easier than sympathetic attention.
"His brother Jack says he'd like to meet you."
Jenny laughed derisively.