"I am quite sure that Jean never gave that message, although I can give you no further explanation of the matter."
Farr's face went very white, and, as Helen looked at him, she saw how much the past few months had changed him. There were deep lines about his mouth, and his grave eyes were immeasurably sad. Her heart went out to him in sudden sympathy, and she spoke to him with a touch of tenderness in her voice.
"Jean will be with us again at Christmas time, I hope, and then you must see her and let her explain to you how such a mistake was made."
Farr rested his elbow on his knee and dropped his head in his hand.
"If I only felt sure you were right, Miss Helen." He paused a moment, then resumed with deep earnestness, "I cared so much for your sister that the sudden withdrawal of her friendship was a bitter blow to me."
Helen's eyes were downcast, her lips refused to speak. The silence was broken by Farr.
"I think at one time I dreamed she cared for me a little, but my illusion was quickly dispelled."
Another pause of briefer duration, and then he turned to his companion with a question on his lips.
"How was it, Miss Helen? Did I presume too much on your sister's kindness to me? I suppose I must have, although it seems to me that I hardly deserved her excessive coldness and dislike."
Helen, thus put to the test, looked straight up at him, and answered a little tremulously: