“I am sorry,” I said, “but I cannot spare the time.”
I thought you and Agnes exchanged glances. “Please, Doc—” she began; but you interrupted her by saying proudly, “We must not take any more of Dr. Hartzmann’s time, Agnes. Will you come in?”
“No,” replied Agnes. “I’ll go home before it’s any darker. Good-night.”
I started to walk with her the short distance, but the moment we were out of hearing she turned towards me and cried, “I hate you!” As I made no reply, she demanded impatiently, “What makes you behave so abominably?” When I was still silent she continued: “I told you how Maizie felt, and I thought it was all right, and now you do it again. It’s too bad! Well, can’t you say something? Why do you do it?”
“There is nothing for me to say, Miss Blodgett,” I responded sadly.
“You might at least do it to please me,” she persisted, “even if you don’t like Maizie.”
I made no answer, and we walked the rest of the distance in silence. At the stoop, however, Agnes asked, “Will you go with me to call on Maizie, some afternoon?”
I shook my head.
“Not even to please mamma and me?” she questioned.
Again I gave the same answer, and without a word of parting she left me and passed through the doorway. From that time she has treated me coldly.