What was behind her whimsical mood, and why she so willingly received me, I could not guess. When I had taken a seat she tapped me with her fan and said:
"You know I've always liked you, Chet, but you see the doctor thought it wasn't best for me to have you about. Really, I oughtn't to let you stay now. He'd be perfectly furious, you know. He thought you had gone up to town. You must hide, if he comes."
"Trust me for that," I said.
"So Joy wants you to come?" she continued. "I suppose you'd never come down just to see me! You must tell me about Joy. Is she nice?"
"She's lovely. Oh, you'd love her, Edna. It's a pity you can't know her. It would save so much trouble!"
"Oh, are you in love with her, then?"
"I'm very fond of her!"
She slapped her fan viciously and bit her lip. Then:
"I'm sure you like her much better than you do me, anyway—don't you?"
"I know her better than I do you, Edna, and she has always been nice to me."