“Why are you so anxious to have one?”
She hesitated. Her eyes were fixed upon the spotless snow at their feet, and he saw that she held her breath in hesitation.
“Men friends are sometimes dangerous, you know,” he laughed.
“Not if the man is a true gentleman,” was her rather disconcerting answer. Then, raising her eyes again, and gazing straight into his face she asked, “Will you really be my friend?”
“As I’ve already said, I’d only be too delighted. What do you want me to do?”
“I—I want you to help me, and—and to preserve my secret.”
“What secret?” he inquired, surprised that a girl of her age should possess a secret.
He saw the sudden change in her countenance. Her lips were trembling, the corners of her mouth hardened, and, without warning, she buried her face in her hands and burst into tears.
“Oh! come, come, Elfrida!” he exclaimed quickly, placing his hand tenderly upon her shoulder. “No, don’t give way like this! I am your friend, and will help you in what ever way you desire, if you will tell me all about it. You are in distress. Why? Confide in me now that I have promised to stand your friend.”
“And—and you promise,” she sobbed. “You promise to be my friend—whatever happens.”