It was the sharp voice of Clarence Paxton that broke the peaceful stillness. Billie remembered that she had promised him a dance early in the evening. She had not had the spirit to refuse with Mrs. Duffy standing at her elbow.
“Oh, yes,” she replied. “I am coming now,” and she started down the path.
“Do wait a moment, Billie. Perhaps I won’t see you again for several days. Won’t you say good-bye?” called Edward l’Estrange, running out of the boat-house.
He stopped when he saw Clarence standing near her.
Billie felt very uncomfortable. She wished Edward had not been so hasty, but Southern boys take little pains to conceal their likes and dislikes. Edward liked Billie very much and he was not at all ashamed of it. However he was not prepared for what was now to happen.
CHAPTER IX.—THE BULLFROG AND THE POLLYWOG.
Billie hesitated, too embarrassed to know what to reply.
“But——” she began, when Clarence interrupted.
“Do you know you are speaking to a lady,” he exclaimed angrily, “and you a servant! How dare you call her by her first name, you insolent young upstart. Can’t you see that you have made her very angry?”
Billie was so surprised at this unexpected attack that she lost her voice and choked indignantly.