“And it's taken you all this time?”
Carrington regarded her seriously.
“I reckon I must have come for more time, Betty—Miss Malroy.” In spite of herself, Betty glowed under the caressing humor of his tone.
“Really—you must have chosen poorly then when you selected New Madrid. It couldn't have been a good place for your purpose.”
“I think if I could have made up my mind to stay there long enough, it would have answered,” said Carrington. “But when a down-river boat tied up 'there yesterday it was more than I could stand. You 'see there's danger in a town like New Madrid of getting too sorry. I thought we'd better discuss this point—”
“Mayn't I show you Belle Plain?” asked Betty quickly.
But Carrington shook his head.
“I don't care anything about that,” he said. “I didn't come here to see Belle Plain.”
“You certainly are candid,” said Betty.
“I intend to be honest with you always.”