“Yes; it’s well to make a front,” Bruce replied, determined to keep a frivolous tone with her. “The Freemans enjoy themselves; they’re quite ideally mated, I’d say.”
“Yes, they’re making a success of their lives. Dale and Bill are always cheerful. Now there’s dear old Shep——”
“Well, of course he’s happy. How could he be otherwise?”
“You’re not taking me seriously at all! I’m disappointed. I was terribly blue today; that’s why I plotted with Bud to get you here—I shamelessly confess that I want to know you better.”
“Come now! You’re just kidding!”
“You’re incorrigible. I’m that rarest of beings—a frank woman. You refuse to come to my house, presumably because you don’t like me, so I have to trap you here.”
“How you misjudge me! I haven’t been around because I’ve been busy; I belong to the toiling masses!”
“You have time for Miss Harden; you two seemed ever so chummy on the golf course. Of course, I can’t compete with Millie—she’s so beautiful and so artistic—so many accomplishments. But you ought to be considerate of a poor thing like me. I’m only sorry I have so little to offer. I really thought you would be a nice playmate; but——”
“A playmate? Aren’t we playing now?—at least you are playing with me!”
“Am I?” she asked.