Either you give me a full explanation of
your business with him, or you bring your visit here to an end. I cannot
have you in my house, if you are deceitful and insincere. I stand by my
offer; I will listen willingly to your story, and judge you most
leniently. I don't really believe you _are_ up to anything wrong. But a
secret is always mysterious and I hold that you are too young and
inexperienced to have secrets from your elders."
"I have nothing to confess or confide, Cousin William," said Azalea,
putting on a haughty air. "I refuse to be accused of wrong-doing, when
I am not guilty of it,--and I will bring my visit here to an end at
once! I will leave to-morrow!"
"Oh, pshaw, Zaly, don't go off so suddenly!" Farnsworth laughed lightly,
for he had said a little more than he meant to, and he realised, too,
that this was neither the time nor the place to have such a serious talk
with the girl.
"Come along now, and have tea with us all in the tea-house," he said.
"Forget your bad, cruel cousin's scoldy ways, and as to the mysterious
man, I'll trust your word that he's all right."
"Oh, thank you, Cousin!" Azalea fairly beamed now. "How good you are!
I'll tell you all about it,--some day!"
So the matter rested for the moment, and the two went to join the merry
group around the tea-table.
The Fair drew to a brilliant close. The second evening was even more gay
and festive than the first.
Pages:
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142