"You put it coarsely," she said coldly. "You cannot expect me to give up the luxuries Uncle Barney provides for me and marry a ball player. Unless you make it up with your uncle I shall consider myself free."
A stifled exclamation, like a gasp of surprise, startled them, and a rustle of retreating garments in the adjoining parlor caused McCarthy to step quickly to the doorway. He was just in time to recognize the gown. He realized that Betty Tabor had overheard part of the conversation, and he wondered how much.
"Some eavesdropper, I suppose," Miss Baldwin remarked carelessly.
"She came by accident, probably to read, and departed as soon as she realized it was a private conversation," he said warmly.
"Then you know her?" she asked quickly.
"Yes," he replied, realizing he had betrayed undue interest in the defense.
"Who is she?" the girl demanded.
"One of the women with the team, daughter of the secretary," he explained, striving to appear unconcerned.
"Is she pretty?"
"Why—yes—I don't know. She is very pleasant and nice looking."