"You are candid, Cecil."
The young fellow flushed, in spite of the fact that his fair skin was already reddened from the past two months spent out of doors.
"Why shouldn't I be, Jeanette? You have always been candid with me since the beginning of our acquaintance. I don't see why a boy should not be as frank with a girl as she with him. You know I like Lina better than I do you. You never have made a pretense of liking me especially. You thought when we met that I was spoiled and effeminate. I am not sure you were not right. Still, I did not enjoy the idea then and I do not enjoy it now."
"You have changed a good deal for the better, in my opinion, Cecil, not that I suppose it makes any difference to you," Jeanette answered in a more humble tone than she was accustomed to employing. "About your mother's wish to have me help entertain her guests by riding with them and showing them the different objects of interest in the neighborhood, don't regret that she has chosen to ask me rather than Lina. Lina would not have liked the task. She does not care a great deal for strangers. Besides, she is so much happier at home than I am. I need to be away for everybody else's sake as well as my own. If your mother really wants me to do what you say I can't tell you how grateful and glad I will be."
Cecil made no reply.
With a level frown Jeanette drew her straight brows together. Her color departed, her eyes became questioning and frightened.
"See here, Cecil, I said a moment ago that you were extremely candid with me, but perhaps after all you are not. There is something I wish to ask you. Do you know anything about me that of late has changed your original opinion of me so that you think it would not be wise for your mother to trust me?"
The girl drew a deep breath, which seemed one of relief. At last she had spoken. She had been dreading this since the unfortunate day when she had allowed her desire for success and her dislike of her stepmother to overthrow the principles she held dear. Yet she had not intended to question Cecil Perry, of all persons, until this instant.
He had turned away his head and begun walking more rapidly.
Jeanette found it impossible to observe his expression.