“Offended? No. Should I be? Why?... Besides, I suppose when we have finished this conversation you are going the other way.”
“I—no, I wasn’t.”
“Oh! Then you are going to sit here?”
“Y—yes—I suppose so.... But I don’t want to.”
“Then why do you?”
“Well, if I’m not going the other way, and if I’m not going to remain here—” He looked at her, half laughing. She laughed, too, not exactly knowing why.
“Don’t you really mind my walking a little way with you?” he asked.
“No, I don’t. Why should I? Is there any reason? Am I not old enough to know why we should not walk together? Is it because the sun is going down? Is there what people call ‘danger’?”
He was so plainly taken aback that her fair young face became seriously curious.
“Is there any reason why you should not walk with me?” she persisted.