Andy undoubled himself with alacrity and sprang from the sleepy-hollow chair. His stern face was softened and filled with a boyish eagerness.
“Oh, Nance! Can’t you forgive me?”
“Excuse me, Dr. McLean, I did not know you were still here,” and Nance turned to leave the room.
Andy with long strides reached the door first and with his back against it held out beseeching hands.
“Yes, I’m here and am going to stay here——”
“Well, I am not! Please let me pass.” Nance was filled with a righteous indignation against Molly at having played this trick on her.
“But, my dear, I must tell you what a fool I have been——”
“That is not necessary. I know.”
Andy laughed. Nance had a laconic way of putting things that always tickled his humor.
“Now you sound like yourself, honey, but oh, please act like yourself! The real Nance Oldham could not be so cruel as to go off without letting me explain—I have no excuse—there could be none for my blind rage and jealousy—none unless loving you too hard could be called one. Will you listen to me?”