"And you've been----"

"Just practising with my new machine. I thought I might as well keep
around in your neighbourhood as anywhere."

"I've seen your car. But you were so goggled----"

"I hated to have you misunderstand me again, till I could explain. I
thought maybe some day you'd be a little glad to see me--not for myself,
but for--"

"_Myself!_" Angela finished. "Yes, I'm selfish enough to be glad
now--_very_ glad. You're a friend in need."

"Then I'm happy. That's all I ask to be--just a friend in need. Will you
let me drive you to Riverside?"

"I'd let you drive me--_anywhere_, to lunch. But you mustn't ask just now
if I've forgiven you. It would be taking an unfair advantage of a
shipwrecked mariner."

"I shouldn't think of doing such a low-down thing," protested the forest
creature.




XII

THE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY OF MAKE-BELIEVE