‘I judge her by her actions. As for Miss Askam, she is different. Dr. Rowntree knows her, and he says so; and Michael Langstroth——’
‘Oh, I know he thinks so. And of course he’s always right!’ retorted Ada, excitedly. ‘Every one knows that. I suppose if he had been talking to me, we should have heard none of all this.’
‘Not a word; you are quite right,’ said Roger, constrainedly. ‘I should have known there was some reason for what he did. But that’s just it. No one ever hears of him making a fool of himself in that way, and behaving like a cad at a public entertainment. It isn’t in him.’
‘I know I’m awfully tired of hearing Dr. Langstroth’s praises for ever sung. And as for Miss Askam, of course he says she is an angel, and an angel that’s pretty thick with him, by all accounts.’
‘What do you mean? Who says anything against them?’ asked Roger, indignant at her tone.
‘Goodness! I never said it was against them. I see no harm in it; but then I’m not so strait-laced as some people. They’ve been seen riding together, not so long ago, and he called there when Mr. Askam was away.’
‘Their meeting was a pure accident.’
‘Oh, of course! Such things are always accidents,’[accidents,’] said Ada, with a laugh.
‘Do you mean that you doubt me, Ada?’ he asked, very seriously.
‘Doubt you?—not at all. I suppose Dr. Langstroth said it was an accident, and of course we all know he has nothing to do but speak, and you do what he tells you, and believe what he says.’