“No, you may not,” Leigh replied, looking up, and her sunny face framed by her golden brown hair was winsomely pleasing.
“Why not, Leigh? Am I too late?”
“Too early. You haven’t asked Jo and been refused yet. But you are kind to put me on the ‘waiting list.’”
Thaine was standing beside her now. 278
“I mean it. Has anybody asked you specially—to be your very particular escort?”
“Oh, yes. The very nicest of the crowd.” Leigh’s eyes were shining now. “But I’ve refused him,” she added.
“Who was it?”
“Thaine Aydelot, and I refused because it was good taste for me to do it. If it’s his last day at home—and—oh, I forget what I was going to say.”
“I wish you wouldn’t make a joke of it, anyhow. Tell me why you are so unkind to an old neighbor and lifelong pal,” Thaine insisted.
But Leigh made no reply.