"How did I act? What did I do? Was I very different from what I am to-day, for instance? Tell me all about it!"
This staggered me. She had never betrayed so much curiosity before; she had always taken her lapses in her careless, thoughtless way, without much question. I saw Leah in the kitchen stop and listen, her lips parted, showing her white teeth.
"You were very lovely—as usual!" I said.
"I'm glad you found me so, Chet. You've never said that before, you know!"
"Well, I've thought so, often enough!"
"Did you like me any better than you usually do, then?" she insisted, keeping her eyes on mine.
"Oh, there are some times when I don't quite approve of you, I confess."
"When, Chet?"
"When you abuse the dogs—or Leah." Leah disappeared.
"But they abuse me, too, horrid things!" she complained peevishly. "And I can't for the life of me see why you're so fond of Leah. She's a great trial to me. I'm only keeping her on, now, on your account, and if you scold me, I'll be sorry I did."