shall always know she told you that. After all, I wish she had left it
for me to tell. I believe I dislike that woman very much."

"Shake hands, Kate, over that. So do I. Now, my dear, tell me what she
told _you_."

"Then she _did_ tell you that, did she?"

"Why, if you are so sure of it without my admitting it, why do you ask
again?"

"I suppose because I wanted to make doubly sure."

"Well, then, assurance is doubly sure. I admit she did."

"And you listened to her, George?" said Katherine, reproachfully.

"Listened? Why, of course I did. I couldn't help myself. She said it
before I knew what she was going to say. She didn't give me the chance
that your man had in that story you were speaking of. I said something
that irritated her and she out with it at once as if it had been a crime
on your part. I did not look on it in that light, and don't now. Anyhow,
you are not going back to the ribbon counter."

"No," answered the young lady, with a sigh, looking dreamily out into
the hazy distance. "No, I am not."

"At least, not that side of the counter," said George.

She looked at him for a moment, as if she did not understand him; then