"Yes—you're quite right. I used the wrong words. One is not accustomed in Marcia's set to find that sort of thing an opportunity."
"Miss Van Wyck knows her?" I asked.
"Yes. Marcia is on a committee that provides money for this particular charity. They know each other. She came over to Briar Hills one night with Phil Laidlaw. Marcia saw her several times in our fields with her butterfly net. You see, her name is unusual. Marcia guessed the rest."
"Thanks," I said. "I hope you've forgiven me for my churlishness. I should like to know you better if you'll let me."
She turned her head toward me with a motherly smile.
"I don't care for the society of men," she said amusedly. "They annoy me exceedingly."
CHAPTER XI
THE SIREN
Something went wrong with Jerry's afternoon, for not long after lunch I heard his machine in the driveway. But I didn't go out to meet him. I knew that if there was anything he wanted to say to me he would come to the study door. But I heard him pass and go upstairs. I hadn't been able to do any work at my book since yesterday morning, and the prospect of going on with it seemed to be vanishing with the hours.