"Oh, Ned! Why have you come? Why cannot you let me alone?" she cried, in a startled tone.
"I have come to make you take back your ring," and he held out the box to her. "And I cannot 'leave you alone,' because—you know why, Sadie."
"No, I shall not take back the ring," she replied, waving it away, "and I wrote you that everything was at an end between us; that I would not be bound to you any longer."
"But you are bound—you have given me your promise."
"I have taken back that promise."
"Why?"
"Because—oh! for many reasons. I have my course to finish; I mean to put my best work into the coming year, and I will not be hampered in any such way," resolutely returned Sadie, who was fast recovering tier self-possession.
"No; it is because that preaching, sanctimonious Katherine Minturn has influenced you against me," hotly retorted her companion.
"Katherine Minturn is the dearest, loveliest, sweetest girl in the world, and I won't hear one word against her," said Sadie, in stout defense of her friend.
"Well, what are some of your other 'many reasons'?" demanded Mr. Willard, and quickly retreating from what he saw was dangerous ground.