"So am I," replied Mary, and then they talked of other things.
But that Tom still felt jealous pangs was evident the next day, for the boys remained over for a lawn party Grace had arranged in honor of Mary. There was no dancing this time, for the affair was held out of doors. But Floyd Barton was there, with other young men, and even Ned, in what few moments he spent away from Grace Winthrop, could not help noticing that Mary was very often in the company of the young Chesterport man.
However, she gave Tom some attention and called him to her side when she had to preside at a little game. She seemed very sweet and gracious, but there was a lowering look on Tom's face that did not altogether vanish, Ned noticed.
At the close of the lawn party Mary accompanied Mr. Barton to the gate to bid him farewell. When she came back Tom further showed the canker that was eating him.
"Can't you stay over one more day?" Grace Winthrop was asking Ned, who had announced that their plans called for starting off the next morning.
"I'd like to," Ned replied. "But of course——"
"We're going to pull out first thing to-morrow!" broke in Tom, with more bruskness than seemed necessary.
"Oh, in that case then you won't be here," said Mary, and her voice was tantalizingly cool. "I thought you were having a good time."
"We are!" exclaimed Ned.
"Too good," said Tom. "I guess you're having a good time too, aren't you, Mary?" His question was rather pointed.