"
"And you're not afraid of elephants or camels?"
"Oh, dear, no; they're tame." She seemed in doubt as to the wisdom of
expressing aloud the thoughts that troubled her. Twice she peered up
into the face of her companion. Then she resolutely delivered herself.
"I _do_ hope father won't see us, David."
"You poor girl," he cried gently. "I'm sorry if this gets you into
trouble. Denise didn't tell me. She--"
"Oh, Denise did it on purpose," she said, quite glibly. "I suppose she
thinks we're going to fall in love with each other."
David was grateful to the darkness. It hid his blush of confusion.
"But that's perfectly silly," went on the soft voice at his elbow. "I
just want to be your friend, David. My mother adores you. So do I, but
in just the same way that she does. I--I couldn't think of being so
ridiculous as to fall in love with you."
He resented this. "I don't see why you say that," he said, rather
stiffly. "But," very hastily, "I'm not asking you to do it. Please
don't misunderstand me. I--"
"Mother and I are so sorry for you, David," she went on earnestly.
"We--we don't believe a word of--of--well, you know.
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