"You knew I would not do such a thing; how could you be so silly?" She was decidedly vexed with him.
"I thought perhaps you really did not care to have anything to do with me after—"
"You thought I would stop speaking to you for that!" she exclaimed. "Why Bess told me how sorry you were, and at any rate it would have been acting as if I never did wrong myself."
"You wouldn't do anything so horrid."
"I was a little surprised at you," Dora, acknowledged, "but it is so disagreeable not to be friends with people. I am glad you and Ikey have made up; he was telling me about it."
By this time they had reached the gate, and Carl said, "I don't think the girls are at home; they were going out with Aunt Zélie, but you might come in and wait, if you don't mind talking to me while I look over some books for father."
"I don't mind talking to you," she answered, laughing, "but I can't stay long. I want 'Water Babies.' Louise said I could have it to read."
"Come in, then, and I'll find it for you."
They went up to the star chamber together, and Dora sat down in the west window, where a little wintry sunshine still lingered, while Carl looked for the book.
"I can't see how you could be such a goose as to think I would not speak to you," she said presently.