"I'd rather you didn't press me for an answer," he said.
"Why? Do you mean you wouldn't tell me?"
"Yes. And I shouldn't like to refuse."
Elsie smiled.
"You're not a good plotter. It was easy to catch you out."
"So it seems. But if I'm not as smart as I ought to be, I mean well."
"I don't doubt it, and I have some reason for trusting you. I think you're a good friend of Dick's and Andrew's; and their friends are mine."
"Thank you! But Williamson's by way of being a friend of Dick's."
"Oh, no; he only pretends he is. You must know this."
"Suppose we admit it. Don't you think Andrew's able to take care of his cousin?"