pretending that she was not altogether in earnest. But there was no humor in her laughter. Eugenia received her information gravely. "That may be good of you, dear, but I don't believe you," she returned. "Still I am glad you made the remark just at this minute. It helps me with what I wish to say to you. Nona wanted me to find out what it was that had changed your feeling for her. She says she has done her best to discover for herself and has asked you to tell her, but without success. She seems much distressed and is anxious to make amends if she has injured you." The older girl had to cease talking because Barbara had pulled away and was walking on ahead without pretending to answer. She was being rude and was aware of it. But it was better to be rude than to have any human being discover how crimson her face had become and how her lips were trembling. Eugenia's question had taken her so by surprise. Several weeks before she had gone through much the[Pg 149] same kind of conversation with Nona and Mildred. But the subject had never been mentioned again and she hoped was happily over. It was too stupid to have Nona go on dwelling upon the matter in this way and utterly pointless. She had told her that she had nothing in the world against her. Surely one had the right to one's likes and dislikes! [Pg 149] Quietly Eugenia continued after her guest. She made no effort to stop her, although she realized that they were walking farther than they had intended. Finally Barbara must have appreciated the fact, because she stopped and turned around. "Let's go back home, I am dead tired," she murmured. Of course Eugenia complied, and they continued in single file on the return journey. Walking alone, Barbara once or twice thought that she heard some one tramping about in the underbrush not far away. But although she glanced over in that direction she saw no one. [Pg 150] [Pg 150] After five minutes more of silence Barbara caught up with Eugenia, who was in the lead on the way home.
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