"Sure tiresome people. Goodness! I was glad to see them at first because I thought they would help me to pass the afternoon, but instead I was bored to death. That little minx is crazy about Gordon, though. I could see that."
"Um!"
"And the worst of it is that she just fits into the scenery here, and I don't. You know, father, I never could wax enthusiastic over shooing the cows to roost and things like that."
"Um!"
"I feel like a deaf person at a concert, here in this town."
This remark brought a wry laugh from her father, and Helen smiled.
"Well, I've made you laugh, anyway," she said. "You're frightfully grouchy this evening."
"My dear, I'm busy, very busy, and I haven't time to think of trifles. I'll be at it most of the night."
"Oh, shall you? Goodness, that's cheerful. I wish I had never come to this awful little place. I suppose I must go back to my letters for something to do. And, father," she added, as he lingered with her for a moment in the hallway, "the Purnells seem to think that you and Mr. Moran had better not go too far. The people here are very much wrought up."
He patted her shoulder affectionately.