"I'm afraid the time has gone by for that," he returned.
But Olive had a kind of gentle, sensible persistency that nearly always wins its way.
"Still, there wouldn't be any harm in just seeing if it might amuse you," she went on. "I am sure it would be a kind of relief."
Captain MacDonnell again looked at Olive. Her deep toned skin was softly flushed and her dark eyes brilliant with earnestness.
He laughed a little. "Of course it will, a relief to you, so for that reason I'll attempt it. But on one condition?"
Olive flushed a little with embarrassment, since she had never wholly gotten over her shyness. However, she realized that Captain MacDonnell was teasing her. He did very often when he was in a gay humor and Olive felt it was good for her, as she was too inclined to be grave.
"What is the condition?" she inquired. "Of course it will be relief to me to know you are happier," at which Captain MacDonnell felt that Olive had scored.
"Why, that I won't have to keep on calling you Miss Van Mater. It is too much of a name, just as mine is."
Captain MacDonnell was doubtful as to how Olive would receive this suggestion. She seemed more formal than the rest of the family and he had thought her colder until her great kindness to him. Now he at least knew better than to misunderstand her shyness for coldness, as a good many people did.
Olive replied perfectly naturally.