"O Eva! I'm 'most ashamed to look at you," murmured Lulu, half averting her blushing face. "I shouldn't think you'd want me for your friend any more."
"I do, though: I love you dearly, and should have gone to your room yesterday if your papa had not refused to allow it," responded Evelyn, repeating her caress. "Come in and rest, both of you: aunt Elsie told me to ask you."
"I'm not sure that papa meant to give me permission to go into the house," said Lulu, hanging back.
"No,—come to think of it,—I don't believe he did," said Max. "Besides, it must be pretty near school-time; so if you are ready, Eva, and want to walk, we'll start back directly, and be glad to take you with us."
"Yes, I prefer to walk," she said: "I'll be ready in five minutes, and glad to have your company."
Mrs. Leland was on the veranda.
"Won't they come in?" she asked of Evelyn, as the child came hurrying up the steps.
"No, auntie: Lu is not quite certain that her papa gave her permission."
"Then, I'll go to them."
Lulu's eyes were on the ground, her cheeks hot with blushes, as Mrs. Leland drew near the rustic bench on which she and Max had seated themselves.