"Oh, Popsy, that's a joke. I like you better than all the lady-slippers in the world. Where have you been?"
"Over on the bluff, calling on some people. I'm taking a short cut through the woods."
"Where are you going now?"
"To Cedar Brook. My car's out there on the road at the end of the path."
I knew Bébita had been told not to speak of her father. I'd heard it from Annie and Mrs. Janney had cautioned me, if she asked any questions, to say that he had gone away and was not coming back. Children are queer, take in more than you think, and I believe the little thing felt something of the tragedy of it. Anyway she said nothing more on that subject, but loosing one hand, waved it at me.
"That's my new governess, Miss Rogers. I'm studying lessons with her."
He looked at me, and having no free hand, just nodded. Though his expression wasn't as unfriendly as it had been, it didn't suggest any desire to know me better. He turned back to Bébita.
"Dearie, you'll have to let go for I must jog along. I've a date to play tennis at Cedar Brook and I'm late now."
He kissed her and she loosened her hold sliding through his arms to the ground. Then with a few last words of good-by he swung off down the path. Bébita looked after him till the trees hid him, gave a sigh, and without a word pushed her little hand into mine and walked along beside me. She seemed sobered for a while, then picked up heart, began to look about her, and was soon back at her hunt for the flowers.
I was nearing the second path to Little Fresh, when again I saw a figure coming behind the trees. This time it showed in a moving pattern of lilac and the sight made me brisk up for I'd seen Miss Maitland that morning in a lilac linen dress. I quickened my step until I came to a turning from which I could look up the branch trail, and sure enough, there she was, walking very lightly and spying out ahead. At the sight of me she too stopped and looked annoyed. But women are a good deal quicker than men—in a minute the look was gone and she was all smiles of welcome.