"Are you, Cousin Rob?"
"Of course—I'm going wherever you do."
Ronald was talking with Mrs. Franklin, and did not seem to see the two who went to the Lieutenant's. Robert brought chairs for Mrs. Howard and Beatrice and seated himself on the upper step.
"Where's George?" asked Katherine. "Isn't he coming over?" She had grown accustomed to seeing the three together, and vaguely missed Ronald.
"He was bad," explained the girl, fanning herself with her handkerchief, "and I think he's ashamed to come."
"Bad—how?"
"He wouldn't wash Queen. I asked him to, and he said he wouldn't. Cousin Rob wouldn't, either."
"Well, I don't blame them. You seem to expect a good deal, Bee."
"Oh," laughed Beatrice, "how serious you all are! I believe Mr. Ronald and Cousin Rob thought I meant it!"
"You seemed to," put in Robert, in self-justification.