"Of none in the world!" said Hildegarde, turning upon him with gleaming eyes. "The absurd behaviour of three ridiculous boys,—Jack! How could you? I was so mortified,—so ashamed of you all! All! But you are my own; I am responsible for your behaviour. I never—" but here she caught a glimpse of Jack's face, and suddenly burst into a fit of laughter.
"Oh, it was so funny! Jack, none of you will ever know how funny it was. I am very angry, but I—cannot—help laughing."
"I am glad you are amused!" said Jack Ferrers, stiffly. "It was worth while to come home for that."
"Jack! I—I won't laugh any more—if I can help it! Oh, dear! If you had only seen—"
But Hildegarde saw that her cousin was really hurt. Instantly she controlled her laughter, and laid her hand quietly on his arm.
"Dear lad," she said, "you are not really angry, any more than I was. Dear Jack, think about it a little!"
They walked on in silence. Jack was still smarting under a sense of injury; yet the steady, friendly hand on his arm seemed to smooth down his ruffled feelings, whether he would or no.
"You know how it is," he said, presently, speaking in a more natural voice. "I have been thinking so long about the home-coming! I thought it was going to be—just the same. I thought I should have you all to myself; and now—"
"Jack, dear," said Hildegarde, quietly, "are you thinking of falling in love with me, by any chance?"
Jack looked down at her with startled eyes.