"Then I'll put the thing in another way—do you mind telling me how I have offended you?"
The girl almost wished that she could do so. Appearances were badly against him, but she felt that if he declared himself innocent she could take his word in the face of overwhelming testimony to the contrary. Unfortunately, however, it was unthinkable that she should plainly state the charge.
"Do you suppose I should feel warranted in forming any opinion upon your conduct?" she retorted.
"It strikes me that you have formed one, and it isn't favorable."
The girl hesitated a moment, but she had the courage of her convictions and she felt impelled to make some protest.
"That," she said, looking him in the eyes, "is perfectly true."
He seemed more puzzled than guilty, and once more she chafed against the fact that she could give him no opportunity for defending himself.
"Well," he responded, "I'm sorry; but it brings us back to my first question."
The situation was becoming painful as well as embarrassing, and Evelyn, perhaps unreasonably, grew more angry with the man.
"I'm afraid that you either are clever at dissembling or have no imagination."