Part 12 (1/2)
”Why?”
”Because I am going away.”
”Have you had bad news? Is--is anybody dead?”
”I wouldn't ask any questions if I were you.”
”I must ask some. You know, people _don't_ walk off like this without giving any reason.”
”I am surprised at your asking for my reason.”
”Sur--prised,” said Kitty softly. ”Are you going because of me?”
Miss Keating did not answer.
”I see. So you don't like me any more?”
”We won't put it that way.”
Kitty came and stood beside Miss Keating and looked down at her.
”Bunny, have I been a brute to you?”
”No.”
”Have I ever been a brute to any one? Have you ever known me do an unkind thing, or say an unkind word to any one?”
”N--no.”
”Then why do you listen when people say unkind things about me?”
Miss Keating stooped very low over the trunk. Her att.i.tude no doubt accounted for the redness of her face which Kitty noticed. ”I think I know what they've been saying. Did you or did you not listen?”
”Listen?”
”Yes. I don't mean behind doors and things. But you let them talk to you?”
”You cannot stop people talking.”
”Can't you? I'd have stopped them pretty soon if they'd talked to me about you. What did they say?”
”You've said just now you knew.”
”Very well. Who said it?”
”You've no reason to a.s.sume that anybody has said anything.”
”Was it Mr. Lucy, or his sister?”
Miss Keating became agitated.