The thought passed instantaneously, but there was a new shyness in
her manner as she approached.

"Hullo," he said, arising as he heard her footfall. "Been watching
the people drive by. Pretty smart traps, some of them, too. The old
families that came over in the Ark with Moses--er, Noah, I should
say." There was deep concern in the remark, but she was confident
that he vaguely understood why she was alone.

"Mamma trusts you will excuse her this morning. She says she will be
glad to see you when you come again." She seated herself on a divan
near the window, a trifle out of the glaring light of the August
sun. She held in her hand a fan and the bits of paper had
disappeared. "Isn't it dreadfully warm?"

"Looks like rain, too," said he, briefly. Then, with new animation:
"Tell me, what was in that letter?"

"Nothing but nonsense," she replied, smiling serenely, for she was
again a diplomat.

"How dare you! How dare you write nonsense to me? But, really, I'd
like to know what it was. You'll admit I have a right to be
curious."

"It pleases me to see you curious. I believe it is the first time I
ever saw you interested in anything. Quite novel, I assure you."

"Don't you mean to tell me?"