She took them and read them slowly one by one.
“I’ve never heard such rubbish,” she said at last. “I’ve never seen the idiotic things before. You must be crazy.”
Mr. March’s mouth fell open.
“You—didn’t write them?” he said incredulously.
“Of course not!” snapped Ethel. “How could you be such a fool as to think I did?”
He considered for a minute then his expression of bewilderment gave place again to the roguish smile.
“Ah, naughty!” he said. “She’s being very coy! I know better! I know——”
He took her hand. Ethel snatched it back and pushed him away angrily. He was standing on the very edge of the river and at the push he swayed for a second, clutching wildly at the air, then fell with a loud splash into the stream.
“Oh, I say, Ethel,” expostulated William from his leafy hiding place. “Don’t carry on like that ... drownin’ him after all the trouble we’ve took with him! He’s gotter lot of money an’ a nice garden an’ a big house. Anyone’d think you’d want to marry him ’stead of carryin’ on like that!”
At the first sound of his voice, Ethel had gazed round open-mouthed, then she looked up into the tree and saw William.