On reaching home, Lois went straight to her room and thought over the whole matter. It certainly appeared grave enough to her. She determined that she would never meet Wickersham again, and, further, that she would not remain in the house if she had to do so. Her cheeks burned with shame as she thought of him, and then her heart sank at the thought that Keith might at that moment be seeking him.
Having reached her decision, she sought Mrs. Wentworth.
As soon as she entered the room, Mrs. Wentworth saw that something serious had occurred, and in reply to her question Lois sat down and quietly told the story of having met Mr. Wickersham and of his attempting to kiss her, though she did not repeat what Wickersham had said to her. To her surprise, Mrs. Wentworth burst out laughing.
"On my word, you were so tragic when you came in that I feared something terrible had occurred. Why, you silly creature, do you suppose that Ferdy meant anything by what he did?"
"He meant to insult me--and you," said Lois, with a lift of her head and a flash in her eye.
"Nonsense! He has probably kissed a hundred girls, and will kiss a hundred more if they give him the chance to do so."
"I gave him no chance," said Lois, sitting very straight and stiff, and with a proud dignity which the other might well have heeded.
"Now, don't be silly," said Mrs. Wentworth, with a little hauteur. "Why did you walk in a secluded part of the Park with him?"
"I thought I could help a friend of mine," said Lois.
"Mr. Keith, I suppose!"