"Of course I do."
"And I promise to be a very interesting woman when you come back from abroad.... Oh, dear, the train is moving. Good-bye, Jim dear!" She flung her veil aside and put both slim arms around his neck in a passion of adoration and farewell.
He dropped to the platform from the slowly moving train and walked back toward the station. And he was uneasily conscious, for the first time in his life, of the innocent abandon of this young girl's embrace—embarrassed by the softness of her mouth—impatient of himself for noticing it.
When he arrived at the house Miss Quest's luggage had gone and that capable and determined lady was ready to depart for Bayport in a large, powerful automobile bearing her monogram, which stood in front of the house.
"Mr. Cleland," she said, "before I go, I have several things to say to you. One is that I like you."
He reddened with surprise, but expressed his appreciation pleasantly and without embarrassment.
"Yes," continued Miss Quest, reflectively, "you're much like your father. He and I began our acquaintance by differing: we ended friends. I hope his son and I may continue that friendship."
"I hope so," he said politely.
"Thank you. But the keynote to friendship is frankness. Shall I sound it?"
"Certainly," he replied, smiling.