"I? I do not understand you," and he could not but admire the clever, innocent, widespread eyes.
"You will understand me some day," he said, and to his amazement she flushed and looked away. They continued their walk, but there was a strange shyness in her manner that puzzled him.
"When is Dudley expected back here?" he asked abruptly.
She started sharply and gave him a quick, searching look. There was a guilty expression in her eyes, and he muttered something ugly under his breath.
"I do not know, Mr. Rollins," she answered.
"When did you hear from him last?" he demanded half savagely.
"I do not intend to be catechized by you, sir," she exclaimed, halting abruptly. "We shall go back. You are very ugly to-day and I am surprised."
"I supposed you had letters from him every day," he went on ruthlessly. She gave him a look in which he saw pain and the shadow of tears, and then she turned and walked swiftly toward the hotel. His conscience smote him and he turned after her. For the next ten minutes he was on his knees, figuratively, pleading for forgiveness. At last she paused and smiled sweetly into his face. Then she calmly turned and resumed the journey to Bald Top, saying demurely:
"We have nearly a quarter of a mile to retrace, all because you were so hateful."
"And you so obdurate," he added blissfully. He had tried to be severe and angry with her and had failed.