Part 60 (2/2)
”Yes. You offered no reason for your refusal.”
”I couldn't! I supposed that you were engaged to Miss Puddicombe.”
”And you were afraid she wouldn't like it?”
”You are not a good guesser. I think I didn't consider her very much,” with a little laugh.
”Then you thought I ought not to ask you?”
”Don't ever enter a guessing contest--you wouldn't win!”
”I suppose not,” meekly. ”Can't you help me out?”
The red in her cheeks crept up to her hair, she frowned a little.
”I--I could not give you the real reason, Mr. Randolph, and I didn't want to lie!” She ran ahead hurriedly. ”I was trying to forget, and--”
”Wait a minute! A train is going through the cut, and I didn't hear that last....Now go on, please.”
”I don't want to! It was bad enough to say it once!”
”You need not repeat, then. Though I should like to hear.”
”I said--I--had been trying--”
”Just a minute! Somebody is knocking.”
She sighed. She had a mind to run away--she hated the telephone!
”Hallo!”
No answer.
”Princess, are you there?”
”Yes,” faintly.
”Sorry I had to keep you waiting. Now I am all ears!”
”I wish you weren't!”
”Never mind, then! Let it go till I see you this afternoon.”
”Mercy! no!--I said--I--oh, I'm not going to tell you! You can guess it out for yourself.”
”Perhaps I can't.”
”Never mind! You won't miss much. Good-bye!”
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