At that instant someone caught his arm, and Ben turned with an apology for his forgetfulness.
“I beg pardon, but I was so interested in the scene that I did not notice where I stepped——”
He paused, fairly gasping for breath, for there stood Dolly Willard at his side, with her hand upon his arm. The light streaming from the windows fell upon her charming face, on which there was an expression that young Mayberry did not understand.
“Ben,” said she, in a voice that sounded unnatural, “I’ve got something I want to say to you.”
“And I have a good deal that I would like to say to you,” he retorted, firing up, now that the little empress stood before him.
CHAPTER XXIV
STARTLING DISCOVERIES
“You say you have something to speak about,” added the boy, looking into the enchanting face, as it reflected the light from the windows near at hand; “I have only to suggest that it took you a good time to find it out.”