"Now, Aunt Ri, what for?"
"On general principles, just because he is such a notional piece of humanity. I admire him, too; I can't help it; all the same he tries me. When you desert me to turn Yankee, Verlinda, I'll make my will and leave this place as a home for indigent females or something of that kind."
"How nice," returned Linda comfortably; "then when I grow decrepit I can come back here and have my old room."
The little creases appearing around Miss Ri's eyes, showed that she appreciated this retort. "There comes Bertie," she announced a moment after.
"Then I'll ask her to walk with me," returned Linda, rising with alacrity.
"Doesn't Mr. Jeffreys make his appearance about this time?"
"Generally, but I can skip him to-day. I'd rather go with Bertie. Just tell him, Aunt Ri."
"That you'd rather go with Bertie?"
"Of course not, but that we have gone out for a walk."
"Where are you going?"