"Oh, don't; you frighten me," Elsie cried; "we're all so fond of you, Fancy. Remember, we're your friends, and we'd do anything to help you."
Fancy stooped down and kissed her. "Don't worry. Elsie, I'm pretty lively yet. Only you know I don't do things by halves. I suppose I take it rather seriously."
Elsie stared at her. "You're so different."
"Oh, Fancy'll get over this. She got over Granthope all right, and she got over Gay Summer."
The tears surged into Fancy's eyes again. "Don't say that, Dougal. I'm no quitter. I don't get over things. I may bury them and cake-walk over their graves, but I don't forget my friends."
He grinned jovially and wrung her hand till she winced, then he slapped her on the back. "Well, you know where we are when you want us. We're with you for keeps; you can't lose us, Fancy, remember that."
Fancy squeezed his big hairy hand.
Elsie added, "But you'll be awfully talked about. Fancy, do be careful."
"Will I?" said Fancy. "I don't care. If I like Blan and he likes me, I don't care who knows it."
"Are you going to marry him?" Elsie ventured.