This was a great deal for Harold to say, and he felt half frightened when he had said it; but Jerrie's answer was reassuring.
"Oh, I didn't know that. I am so glad you told me."
They were close to the Tramp House now. The walk from the station had been hot and dusty, and Jerrie was tired, so she said to Harold:
"Let's go in a moment; it looks so cool in there."
So they went in, and Jerrie sat down upon a bench, while Harold took a seat upon the table, and said:
"I suppose you had peals of applause and flowers by the bushel."
"Yes," Jerrie replied, "applause enough, and flowers enough—twenty bouquets and baskets in all, including yours. It was kind in you to send it."
She did not tell him of the wilted condition of his flowers, or that one of the faded roses was pressed between the lids of her Latin grammar.
"Billy gave me a heart of blue forget-me-nots," she continued, "and Tom a book of daisies on a standard of violets. What a prig Tom is, and what a dandy Billy has grown to be, and he stammers worse than ever."
"But he is one of the best-hearted fellows in the world;" Harold said, "he has been very kind to me."