"It would have been better," said John bitterly.
"Perhaps," answered Cecilia, "but that is not the question. We're here."
"Quite so," said John, and laughed a little. He had drawn away, ashamed of his emotion.
"Have I seemed like a kid to you?" he asked.
Cecilia looked at him squarely. "Yes," she answered.
"Why didn't you help me?" he blurted out. "Let me be the laughing stock of every one. The son of a multi-millionaire, the laughing stock of——"
"If you recollect," interrupted Cecilia, "I did try. More than once. You told me I was only a girl, that I didn't understand. You even told me to mind my business on several occasions."
"Oh, Celie!" said John.
"Dear!" answered Cecilia, in another tone. She sat on the arm of the chair in which he'd thrown himself. He put an arm around her.
"Now that you are awake," said Cecilia, "what do you think of those near-men you've been introducing me to all summer?" She was smiling. John's inclination to anger vanished. He smiled foolishly instead.