"I have offered her mine."
"And Miss Meade has just told you that you will please her most by keeping away from her at all times," replied Darrin quietly but firmly.
"What? After all the good times she and I have enjoyed together?" demanded Ardmore, as though astounded beyond measure.
"I? Good times with you?" cried Belle, her cheeks flaming. "I've never even spoken to you when I could avoid it."
"That's false!" cried young Ardmore hotly.
"Stop, right there!" warned Dave Darrin in a quieter voice than ever, though his face paled swiftly. "Did I understand you to remark that Miss Meade had made a false statement?"
"You did!"
Whack! Darrin's clenched right fist caught the fop on the temple, felling him to the ground.
"Go right on to Laura's, Belle," begged Dave quickly. "I'll be along soon."
Miss Meade walked rapidly ahead.