"Miss Warren," I exclaimed, in deep solicitude, "this long, hot ride has been too much for you."
"Perhaps it has," she replied briefly, without meeting my eyes. "I'll go and rest."
She pleaded a headache, and did not come down to dinner. Mrs. Yocomb returned from her room with a troubled face.
I had resolved that I would not seek to see her alone while Mr. Hearn was away, and so resumed my long rambles. When I returned, about supper time, she was sitting on the piazza watching Adela and Zillah playing with their dolls. She did not look up as I took a seat on the steps not far away.
At last I began, "Can I tell you that I am very sorry you have been ill to-day?"
"I wasn't dangerous, as country people say," she replied, a little brusquely.
"You look as if Dapple might run over you now."
"A kitten might run over me," she replied briefly, still keeping her eyes on the children.
By and by she asked, "Why do you look at me so intently, Mr. Morton?"
"I beg your pardon."