“They say—you can guess what they say, Mayo.� She could not make herself give words to their suspicions.
“Oh, yes!� he answered quickly. “I know. They’ve been questioning me about Kuno Kleist, my friend in Mexico. Being a German, he was probably a Prussian; being a Prussian, he was probably sent by the kaiser to incite the Mexicans against the United States; being a German and a Prussian and the kaiser’s emissary, he probably perverted me. Good reasoning!
“And they want to know about my comings and goings. My old absent days rise up and damn me with my dear stay-at-home county people. And I’ve had a guest and I’ve taken a few little trips and I haven’t put a bulletin in the post office to say who and where and why. And so they want me to explain. I can’t explain.� His voice grew harsh and he laughed mirthlessly. “Let them roll their doubts and suspicions like sweet morsels under their tongues.� Then his voice softened. “It was like you, Agnes, to come to me in the spirit of our old loyal friendship, and I thank you——�
She put out her hand to stop him, turning away her head. She could not give him at that minute the sight of her grieved face.
“Don’t, Mayo,� she said unsteadily. “Not ‘thanks’ between us. You—you understand why I came. I—I am sorry——�
She walked slowly back across the fair, fragrant garden, taking time to get control of herself before she went through the gate and along the flagged walk and around the house corner. There was Polly on the porch, still busy with her sewing. Mrs. Wilson compelled herself to sit down and chat a few minutes about gardens and fowls and Red Cross work. Then she said good-by and started home.
Near the mill she met Dick Osborne and he looked at her with eager eyes. Then his face fell. Cousin Mayo had not told her; Dick was sure of that as soon as he saw her face. Why not? It must be a tremendous secret if Cousin Mayo couldn’t tell Cousin Agnes—and she asking him to! He remembered uneasily the conversation that Jake Andrews had overheard; he was sorry that fellow had happened to come along just then. He must tell Anne and Patsy to keep their lips glued up. Alas! It was too late now for caution. The secret was out.
CHAPTER XIV
“COUSIN POLLY dear,� called Anne Lewis, tripping up the Larkland path a few days later, “here’s the wool you said you’d need to-day. And where is Cousin Mayo? David wants to know if he’ll lend us a wagon Saturday, to haul up our potatoes.�
“Mayo will let David know about it. He is away from home now,� said Mrs. Osborne, in her quiet voice.