"No," she replied curtly.
"Then you are sure to make a hit. Bet your picture will be in the paper to-morrow."
"What!" gasped Cecilia. "I understood this was to be a private hearing."
"Nothing's private from the newspaper chaps. They make more of chamber hearings than the open affairs. Always sure to be something behind the doors, you know."
The thought flashed through the girl's mind that he was trying to frighten her—to keep her away from the hearing.
"Well, I hope they have decent cameras," she managed to say indifferently.
He glanced at her with a look that meant she would make a picture. And in this, at least, he was honest, for the girl was certainly attractive in her linen coat, her turn-over collar and her simple Panama hat. She looked almost boyish.
"Better let me call Aunt Salvey," he said as they neared the cottage.
"But there she is—waiting for us."
Cecilia urged the Turtle slightly ahead, then stopped suddenly. She was almost nervous with suppressed excitement.
"All ready?" she asked as Mrs. Salvey greeted first her, then the young man.