I had it hot on my tongue to tell her I was angry plenty, but it crossed my mind how that would play into Belknap's hand, whatever scheme he was working, for Mary wouldn't stand too much from anybody; so, with an unaccountable rush of sense to the brain, I said:
"Not angry, Mary, but jarred, to see you go back on a friend."
"Will, you don't understand! It is not I who have gone back—who have been unfriendly to Mr. Saxton, it is he who has put it out of my power to be his friend—I can't even tell you—you must believe me."
"Did he tell you this?" I asked her.
"No," she said.
"Well, until he does, I'd as soon believe Arthur as Mr. Belknap."
"Mr. Belknap! How did you know—why, what do you mean, Will?"
"I mean that I don't like Belknap a little bit," said I most unwisely. "And I do like you and Saxton."
"You don't know Mr. Belknap, and you are very unreasonable," she said, getting warm.
"Unreasonable enough to be afire all over at the thought of any one cheating you, Mary—will you excuse that?"