“Oh, I don’t mind. I live over there.” He nodded across the river. “I’m at Hammond Academy.”
“Oh,” said the girl. “You talk as though you weren’t ashamed of it!”
“Ashamed of it?” he repeated in a puzzled way. “Why should I be? Isn’t Hammond all right?”
“For those who like it,” she replied.
“Then you don’t like it,” he laughed. “Why not?”
“Because—because—” She stopped and drew the collar of her brown sweater higher about her neck. “I’m going now,” she announced. “I don’t think you need come. I’m very much obliged. And I’ll send the necktie to you at Hammond.”
“Who are you going to send it to?” he asked.
“Oh! That’s so, who is it? I don’t want to know your name, but if you like to tell me—”
He shook his head.