"
"You've no right to ask!"
"Yes, I have, and, too, there must be some reason why you are so
unwilling to tell me. Why is it?"
Azalea hesitated. Then she said, "Oh, I've no reason to make a secret of
it. But I think you're very curious. It was somebody I met on the train
when I came East."
"A man or a woman?"
"A--a woman."
"Are you telling the truth, Azalea?" and Patty's clear, compelling gaze
was direct and accusing.
"Well--well--Patty, it's both."
"Those people who called here one day, and you saw them on the porch?"
"Yes."
"What are their names?"
"Oh,--oh, I forget."
"Rubbish! You _don't_ forget. Be sensible, Azalea. You're making a
mystery of something. Now if it's anything wrong, I'm going to know
about it,--if it's merely a little secret of your own,--a justifiable
one,--tell me so, in a convincing way, and I'll stop questioning."
"It _is_ a secret of my own,--and it's nobody's business but mine."
"Is it a harmless, innocent matter?"
"Of course it is! What do you think I am? A thief?"
"Gracious, no! I never thought you were that!" Patty laughed. "But I do
suspect you're up to some flirtation or affair of that sort, and I have
a perfect right to inquire into the matter. Why didn't you let us meet
your friends that day they called?"
"I didn't suppose you would care to know them. They're not your sort."
"Are they _your_ sort? Oh, Zaly, I thought you _wanted_ to be our
'sort,'--as you call it.
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