“No—no, indeed,” protested she. “I can’t stop to explain now. Don’t be so suspicious, Chang. I’ll be here to-morrow morning—no, at the studio. Pete—that is, Hank—might follow me here. And now that you know who we are, don’t you see there’s no reason for——”
She laughed coquettishly, and away she sped, before he could repeat his refusal. To call after her would be to betray her.
As he was working in the usual place near the cascade the next morning she came upon him from the direction of the studio. “What a fright you’ve given me!” exclaimed she, dropping to the grass a few yards away. “I went up to the studio as I told you I would.”
He had bowed to her with some formality. His tone was distinctly stiff as he replied: “My work compelled me to be here. Anyhow, Miss Richmond, it’s clear to me, and must be to you, that our friendship must cease.”
“You don’t look at me as you say that,” said she, obviously not seriously impressed.
“It isn’t pleasant to say that sort of thing to you,” replied he. “But your coming again, when you ought not, forces me to be frank.”
“Why?” said she, clasping her knees with her hands. “Why must our friendship cease?”
“There are many reasons. One is enough. I do not care to continue it.”
“How nasty you are this morning, Chang!”