“That’s what I call favorable criticism put into plain words. I thank you.” She added: “I want to be friends with you if you’ll let me because I think we can’t have the right kind of heart interest around here unless you—unless you take a more prominent part.”
Mr. Addis nodded. “That’s my idea, too. That’s why I called. If you’ll tell Mrs. Baron I’m here, I’ll see if I can’t get her to agree with us.”
Bonnie May did not stir. “Please not just yet,” she begged. “Couldn’t we talk things over first? If I could find out what’s wrong....” She looked at him with pretty embarrassment.
“What, for instance, would you like to know?”
She pulled herself farther back into her chair and reflected a moment. “Would you mind,” she asked, “telling me how you got acquainted with Miss Flora?”
“Not at all. She’s been coming to my store—to order things—ever since she was a little girl.”
“Oh! your store. Well, go on.”
“And occasionally I’ve dropped into the church she goes to. You know who I am, I suppose?”
She beamed upon him. “I may not have all the details. Suppose you make a complete confession.”
He shot a dubious glance at her; then he smiled. Bonnie May thought his teeth were quite wonderful. “I’m the head of the Addis Stores Company.”