"Then tell me what you have been reading to-day," he said, throwing himself down on the grass beside her.
She looked at him, hesitated, then said with a lowered tone,
"I have been reading what you told me to read—and my testament."
Mr. Linden lifted his hat a little, replaced it—rather more down over his brows than before, looking steadily down at Kildeer river the while.
"Why did you look grave when I asked you if you had brought 'Le
Philosophe'?"
"I didn't know I did!" said Faith simply. "I had brought only my testament."
"Only—" Mr. Linden repeated. "Well, from 'only' a testament and only such a scene—a skilful reader may get much." Then turning and looking her full in the face, he said, "Miss Faith—what have those boys done to vex you?"
A sudden, painful, startled flush answered him. She did not look now; she said earnestly,
"Please Mr. Linden, don't speak of it!"
"I must know—" was his only answer.