Hester’s manner changed instantly, and her eyes sought Jack’s questioningly, as if she were asking some explanation. Then she turned to the man who stood quietly watching her.
“How do you do, Mr. Landor?” she said with a stiff little formality that was unlike Hester, “I did not know you and Jack were friends.”
“May I be presented?” asked Julie, coming forward; “I seem to be quite out of it.”
Jack from his chair in his capacity of host performed the introduction.
“Will you let me guess?” said the man, addressing Julie as if there had been no interruption. “Your sister refuses to answer me.”
“You certainly will not let him guess,” promptly replied Hester. “Curiosity is a shockingly reprehensible trait and besides,” with a little toss of her head, “our affairs cannot possibly be of interest to Mr. Landor.”
The man flushed and picked up his hat. “I am off, old fellow,” he said to Jack. “I’ll be in again before a great while.”
“Oh, don’t let us drive you away, please, Mr. Landor,” protested Julie, who was secretly marveling over that cool little sarcastic voice which she had scarcely recognized as Hester’s. “We had only a moment to stop and we can come down again any time; we know what a great pleasure it is to Jack to have visitors, don’t we, Hester?”
Julie had her hand on the door.