He had practically said so himself, as far as she could
remember. And she had been very pleased with the idea, and enjoyed
his behavior--happy in the belief that everything he said had a
stout string to it--very much. Even John admitted that he was
amusing, and certainly he was good-looking and clever.
But she smiled up at John.
"It is very nice of you to feel that way," she said. "I appreciate it."
"You annoying little person!" he replied, half-laughing. "Joy, if I
hadn't learned that you were one of the most honest, straightforward
girls in the world, sometimes I would think you were a good deal of
a coquette."
"We're here," said Joy irrelevantly for an answer. She still wished
she knew more about men.
Phyllis' remark about being useful seemed to be in a fair way to be
fulfilled. Allan threatened to put out a sign, he said, on the front
gate, "No coaching done between twelve and three A.M." Finally he
did discover an excellent scheme, which consisted of making the
house and garden look deserted, and locking himself and Phyllis in
the library most of the day.
"It's rather pleasant," he informed her. "Since I developed this
plan I'm really getting more of your uninterrupted society than I
have since this terrible "Iolanthe" devastated the village.... Just
why did it happen, Phyllis--have you any idea?"
"Speak lower," said Phyllis. "I'm perfectly certain I heard footsteps."
"Probably a deputation from Miss Addams' school, to ask you whether
the right or left foot comes first," her husband answered her quite
accurately.
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