"I was surprised—that you should admit it."
She looked at him, puzzled. "I am afraid I do not understand," she said. "Admit it! Admit what?"
"Sir Edward Parkington."
Her frown deepened. "Have you been mixing the brandy and the wine?"
He laughed, a bit scornfully.
"Why admit, and then deny?" he asked.
"Really, Dick, either I am woefully stupid, or else you speak in riddles."
"You are not stupid, and neither do I speak in riddles," he said. "You admitted the Parkington matter, just as I admitted the Miss Stirling matter; because it is useless to deny it."
"I admitted the Parkington matter?" she marvelled. "I was not aware I admitted anything. You said there were other favorite pupils, and I asked you—but without expecting an answer—if it were Parkington."