“I am Lulie Hallett,” she went on, “and—and Mr. Howard and I are—are—”
“We're engaged to be married,” broke in Howard. “The fact is, Mr. Bangs, I came over on my bicycle this morning to meet Lulie here where—where no one would see us. You see—well, Cap'n Jethro—her father, you know—is prejudiced against me and—and so to save her trouble and—and unpleasantness we—well, we—”
He was red and confused and stammering. Galusha was almost as much embarrassed.
“Oh—oh, all right—ah—dear me, yes, of course,” he said, hastily. “I am very sorry I—I interrupted. I beg your pardon. Ah—good-morning.”
“But, Mr. Bangs,” Lulie pleaded, earnestly, “you won't misunderstand this, will you? We meet in this way on my father's account. He is—you see, he is not very well, and rather prejudiced and—and stubborn, I'm afraid. Please don't think that—that—”
“Of course he won't,” declared Howard. “Mr. Bangs won't think anything that he shouldn't.”
“Oh, no—no,” stammered Galusha, nervously. “I am—I am SO sorry I interrupted. I BEG your pardon.”
“And Mr. Bangs,” said Lulie, again, “I wonder if you will be kind enough not to tell any one you saw us? This is a small place, East Wellmouth, and people do talk—oh, dreadfully. If it got to father's ears he—PLEASE don't speak of it, will you, Mr. Bangs?”
“Oh, no; no, indeed, Miss Hallett. You may depend upon me.”
“I shall tell Martha Phipps myself the next time I see her. She is my best friend, except—” with a becoming blush—“Nelson, and father, of course—and she understands. I never have any secrets from her.”