"Pardon me; I didn't intend to answer snappishly, as you call it. I only wanted to be brief."
"Why?"
"Because I wanted to change the subject."
"Shall we talk of the weather?"
"I suppose we may as well," he said resignedly. She was plainly laughing at him now. "Look here," he said, stopping and looking into her eyes intently and somewhat fiercely, "why do you want to go to Velvet Springs?"
"Why should you care where I go?" she answered blithely, although her eyes wavered.
"It's because you are unhappy here and because some one else is there.
I'm not blind, Mrs.—Miss Dering."
"You have no right to talk to me in that manner, Mr. Rollins. Come, we are to go back to the hotel at once," she said coldly. There was steel in her eyes.
He met her contemptuous look for a moment and quailed.
"I beg your pardon. I am a fool, but you have made me such," he said baldly.