I felt like a convicted criminal.
"Did I—mention the lady's name?"
She nodded. "You were talking about Mrs. Fulton," she said in a low voice, "only you didn't call her that."
"Hilda," I said firmly. "Mrs. Fulton and I are very old friends—nothing more."
I could see that she didn't believe me, and I changed my tactics. "You'll not talk, Hilda?"
Her face had resumed its natural color, and she now looked me once more in the eyes. "I'd sooner die than hurt you, Mr. Archie."
"Why, Hilda——!"
All this time I had been sitting and talking over my shoulder, but now I got quickly out of my chair, and drew her hands away from her face. "Oh, Hilda, I am so sorry. What can I do? I'm so sorry, Hilda, and so proud, too."
She looked up at that.
"You poor child! I feel like a dog, a miserable dog!"