Edith blushed at the insinuation, but Howard answered smilingly, "Mrs. Hester is quite capable of looking after herself."
In spite of the smile, the lady felt the rebuke of his words, and soon left them.
"Really, Edith, you should be more careful in a place like this. A married woman, without her husband, cannot pick up chance acquaintances among gentlemen. If she does, she must expect gossip to get busy," he concluded with quick impatience.
The rebuke hurt, but Edith had determined to let no thought of herself intrude during Howard's short stay.
"There are always those who cannot appreciate the good intentions of a man like Mr. Holt. That lady is one of them," she said calmly.
Howard gave a low, cynical laugh, and keenly eyed his wife.
"A married lady is not supposed to appreciate any man's attention, good, bad, or indifferent."
Edith knew it was no good to reply, so she sat in embarrassed silence. She was glad when Alma soon joined them.
"Have just had a letter from George," said Alma joyously. "Harold longs to see me, and George longs to see the miraculous change in his patient, so both are coming to Boonville next week."
"That is well," remarked Howard. "He can perhaps predict when Edith can return."