“I am going to ask a very bold and impertinent question, Miss Margaret,” Phil said with resolution. “May I?”
Margaret smiled incredulously.
“I’ll risk your impertinence, and decide as to its boldness.”
“Tell me, please, what that preacher said to you to-day.”
Margaret looked away, unable to suppress the merriment that played about her eyes and mouth.
“Will you never breathe it to a soul if I do?”
“Never.”
“Honest Injun, here on the sacred altar of the princess?”
“On my honour.”
“Then I’ll tell you,” she said, biting her lips to keep back a laugh. “Mr. McAlpin is very handsome and eloquent. I have always thought him the best preacher we have ever had in Piedmont——”