“I shouldn’t think you’d be so afraid of little girls as you would of big girls,” she returned.
At which they all laughed again.
“I don’t think you’re very much afraid,” she decided. “You don’t look a bit scared. But I want to know how you got up here,” she went on. “Did you come in a car? I didn’t hear any.”
“There was none to hear. I came on my feet.”
“Walked?” cried the child, aghast at the thought.
“It was a delightful little journey, up between the pines and the ferns.”
“Isn’t it beautiful!” responded Polly, glad of his appreciation.
“A wonderful road,” he said. “I would not like to have missed it.”
“But riding up with Miss Dudley is lovely,” put in Dolly, “’cause then you can sit back and just enjoy it. Though I should think it would be nice to walk,” she added wistfully.
A shadow of pain swept the young man’s face; then he smiled brilliantly.