“It must have been rather hot work motoring this morning, wasn’t it, José?” went on Stephen.
“I went only to the forest,” answered José.
The four friends stirred uneasily, and the major looked down at his plate. It hurt him deeply to see José put on the rack in this way.
“How far did you go into the woods, José? It’s curious we didn’t meet you.”
“Only to the haunted pool,” replied José.
“You were not far off, then,” said Stephen. “Did you hear us yodeling?”
“No,” answered José; “er—that is, yes. I did hear something like that, but I was not there long.” His face was still flushed and he looked as if he would like to run away from his inquisitors; but the soft-hearted major could endure the painful situation no longer and he changed the conversation to another topic.
“Why don’t you young people ever dance?” he asked. “I had planned to see young couples whirling around the red drawing room. It would be a pretty sight, Sallie. Would it not?”
“I have a plan,” broke in Mollie, “but I can’t tell it now. It’s to be a surprise for Miss Sallie and the major.”
“Dear me!” exclaimed Miss Sallie. “Are we to feel honored or slighted, Major?”