“I don't quite understand,” 'he said thoughtfully. “There is no bridge within ten miles, and nothing to flood the road but the Creek, which never was known to overflow its banks more than a few feet at most. The highway is far above the valley. You must have been a bit turned around.”
The young man laughed lightly:
“Well, perhaps I had a jag on. I'm not surprised. I'd been driving for hours and had to drink to keep my nerve till morning. There were some dandy spilling places around those mountain curves. One doesn't care to look out and see when one is driving at top speed.”
Heavens! What had he said now? The girl's eyes came round to look him over again and went through to his soul like a lightning flash and away again, and there was actually scorn on her lips. He must take another line. He couldn't understand this haughty country beauty in the least.
“I certainly did enjoy your music,” he flashed forth with a little of his own natural gaiety in his voice that made him so universal a favorite.
The girl turned gravely toward him and surveyed him once more as if she were surprised and perhaps had not done him justice. She looked like one who would always be willing to do one justice. He felt encouraged:
“If it hadn't been for this blamed foot of mine I'd have hobbled over to the—service. I was sorry not to hear the music closer.”
“There is another service this evening,” she said pleasantly, “Perhaps father can help you over. It is a rather good organ for so small a one.” She was trying to be polite to him. It put him on his metal. It made him remember how rude he had been to her father the night before.
“Delightful organ I'm sure,” he returned, “but it was the organist that I noticed. One doesn't often hear such playing even on a good organ.”
“Oh, I've been well taught,” said the girl without self-consciousness. “But the children are to sing this evening. You'll like to hear the children I'm sure. They are doing fairly well now.”