“Well, I like that!” cried Archie, indignantly. “You’re a nice one to scold me, after saying——”
“Archie Davenport, stop this very minute. If you say another word I’ll tell Aunt Agnes, and you will be severely punished.” Ada’s cheeks were crimson, and she was looking decidedly uncomfortable.
“Don’t mind him, please, Ada,” pleaded Gretel. “It really isn’t worth while to let a boy like that spoil Molly’s tea-party. Let’s give him some cake, and perhaps it will keep him quiet.”
Gretel spoke cheerfully, but her voice was not quite steady, and there was a hurt look in her eyes that it pained her friends to see.
Gretel put out a detaining hand.—Page [167].
“He doesn’t deserve any cake,” declared Ada, rising. “I’m going to take him home. It’s time I went, anyway; I promised Mother to be back by half-past five. Good-bye, everybody. Oh, Mr. Cranston, don’t you and Mr. Fairfax want to come over to play tennis at our place some afternoon? The courts are pretty good. You can bring any friends you like.” And, having cast a rather coquettish glance in the direction of the two young ensigns, Ada hurried down the steps, followed by the reluctant Archie.
“I’ll walk home with you if you don’t mind,” said Jimmy Fairfax. And as Ada certainly did not mind, the two walked down the path together very amicably indeed.
For the next few minutes everybody talked fast and rather nervously. Molly plied Gretel with tea and chocolate cake, and Geraldine changed her seat so as to sit next to her friend, and give Gretel’s hand a surreptitious squeeze. Kitty began to sing, “When the Boys Come Home,” and Stephen plunged into a funny story, which made them all laugh. No further allusion was made to Ada or her cousin, and it was evident that every one was anxious to be especially kind to Gretel. Gretel understood, and her heart glowed with gratitude, but Archie Davenport’s foolish behavior had left a sting, nevertheless, and then there was that talk about informing against suspects, to add still more to her trouble and perplexity. Jimmy Fairfax came back to supper, and in the evening they all went out in the launch, with Mrs. Cranston to chaperon the party.