"There! The tall one, with the veil—walking with that jay!"
Not only did I hear such comments; I felt them. Yet even here there were many who did not notice; and again I sensed that odd displeasure that people could pass without seeing my darling.
It was a relief to leave the neighbourhood of Sixth Avenue and cross to the open space of Union Square.
The east side of the little park was quiet.
"All right?" I asked.
"All right."
Her breath came quickly as if she had been frightened.
"But see," she said a moment later, "there comes Kitty trundling her bicycle down Madison Avenue. You'd better come in, and be on your best behaviour; yesterday Kitty thought we were quarrelling."
"Sorry I'm wanted only to vindicate—is it your character or mine that would stand clearing? And will you tell me——"
A little old Frenchman, with a wooden leg, who was singing the "Marseillaise" from door to door, approached, holding out his hat.