Herrick burst into such a hearty fit of laughter that she was cheered. "I never heard such nonsense in my life!" he said. "Where is your women's wit Ida? Why, Bess loves me devotedly I am certain. As for Stephen, he adores the very ground you walk on. No! It's not that my dear girl."
"Then what can it be?" asked Ida drying her tears.
"I shall question Bess until I find out," said Herrick grimly. "You have no idea how I can torture people with cross examination."
True to his idea, Dr. Jim sought out Bess. He came across her in the Pine wood beside the fairy circle. Her eyes were cast on the ground and she looked despondent. When she saw Herrick she made as if to go away.
Dr. Jim felt wounded. "Bess! Don't you want to see me."
"Of course I do," she said brightly, "only, I'm not very well."
"Neither is Stephen," said Dr. Jim, and he saw by her start that the remark made her nervous. "Have you two quarrelled?"
"No! we have not; we are great friends."
"Are you in love with one another then?"
Bess grew crimson and stamped. "How dare you say such a thing as that even in jest?" she said. "What would Ida say if she heard it."