'Why, particularly?' I inquired bashfully.
'Why?' cried Miss Virginia. 'Haven't you rescued Age and Scotland from a cruel death? I suppose it didn't matter to you what became of Youth and America. But I forgive you, you managed the other so well.'
I couldn't help laughing and getting rather red, and Miss Virginia gave me a wicked look out of her black eyes.
'Why, Miss Pomeroy,' I said in a confused way, 'don't you see how it was? I argued to myself you had your own legs to save yourself on, while'—
But here Miss Virginia jumped up with a little scream.
'We don't talk about legs that way, where I come from!' she said, but I saw she was not really shocked, only laughing, with the rum little dimples coming out in her cheeks.
'Won't you shake hands again,' I suggested, 'to show you have quite forgiven me?'
Miss Virginia's hand was in mine, I was holding it, when who should come to the door and look out but Mrs. MacGill.
'I think it is very cold and damp for you to be out at this hour, Miss Pomeroy,' she remarked pointedly.
'Well, I suppose it is, Mrs. MacGill,' said Miss Virginia, as cool as you please, lifting up the long tail of her dress and making a little face at me over her shoulder.