"Ah, well, I'll wait and find out. I'll sit down here by you and wait," went on the young man, drawing a chair so close to that of Alice that it touched. "Fine day, isn't it? I say! you did that bit of acting very cleverly to-day."
"Did I?" and Alice went on reading.
"Yes. I had a little bit myself. I carried a message from the field headquarters to the rear—after more ammunition, you know. Did you notice me riding?"
"I did not."
"Well, I saw you, all right. If Miss Brown isn't home, do you want to go over to the village with me?"
"I do not!" and Alice was very emphatic.
"Then for a row on the lake?"
"No!"
"You look as though you would enjoy canoeing," went on the persistent Whitlow. "You have a very strong little hand—very pretty!" and he boldly reached up and removed Alice's fingers from the edge of the magazine. "A very pretty little hand—yes!" and he sighed foolishly.
"How dare you!" cried Alice, indignantly. "If you don't——"