"I don't quite understand," said Barbara at last. "Perhaps if you have a cup of tea you can make the matter clearer," and without waiting for assent or dissent, she glided out to the kitchen, whence she presently returned bearing a fragrant cup of Oolong.
"Now," she said, after he had sipped the tea, "tell me again just what has happened. You were too much excited, when you told me before, to tell me clearly."
"Well, it amounts to this," answered Duncan. "That scoundrel Tandy——"
"Stop!" said Barbara, in an authoritative tone. "Never mind Tandy's character. If you go off on that you'll never make me understand."
In spite of his agitation, Duncan laughed. "How you do order me about!"
"Oh, pardon me!" exclaimed the girl in manifest alarm. "I didn't mean to do that. I would never think of doing such a thing. I only meant——"
"My dear Miss Barbara, I fully understand. I need ordering about to-night, and I heartily wish you would take me in hand."
"Oh, but I could never presume to do that!"
"I don't see why," answered Duncan. "You are my good angel, and it is the business of my good angel to regulate me and make me behave as I should."
"But, Mr. Duncan——"