“If I were in love with him as you said just now,” Bessie returned, “it would be bad policy on your part to abuse him.”
“My dear child, don’t give me lessons in policy!” cried Mrs. Westgate. “The policy I mean to follow is very deep.”
The girl began once more to walk about; then she stopped before her companion. “I’ve never heard in the course of five minutes so many hints and innuendoes. I wish you’d tell me in plain English what you mean.”
“I mean you may be much annoyed.”
“That’s still only a hint,” said Bessie.
Her sister just hesitated. “It will be said of you that you’ve come after him—that you followed him.”
Bessie threw back her pretty head much as a startled hind, and a look flashed into her face that made Mrs. Westgate get up. “Who says such things as that?”
“People here.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“You’ve a very convenient faculty of doubt. But my policy will be, as I say, very deep. I shall leave you to find out as many things as possible for yourself.”