"Oh, if you don't know ... to Flora's." Belle was embarrassed.
"I hadn't heard of it."
"It's just a few friends," Belle wavered between sympathy and superiority. "Flora is so particular...."
"I couldn't have gone anyway," I interpolated, "I have an engagement." I had to find Mrs. Endsleigh after that and deliver my errand.
When I reached home mother was sitting placidly just outside the circle of the lamp, knitting. She only looked up as I entered and I had to drag it out of her at last.
"Has anybody been here?"
"Nobody that you would care to see."
"But who?"
"That fast-looking young man who tried to speak to you on Sunday. I'm glad you have a proper feeling about such things. Mr. Garrett's nephew, didn't you say? I told him you were engaged."
"Oh, mother!" I was out in panting haste. At the gate I ran square into Tommy Bettersworth.