"I think I can understand anything you are
going to tell me."
But Joy went on to the day when she had hidden on the stairs to get
away from the people, and John had come in, with the light glinting
on his hair, and catching in the ring on his finger.
"I suppose I fell in love with him then, though I didn't know what
it was," Joy confessed. "And when I met you and Philip and Allan I
loved you all so, too, and it seemed so queer you liked me--just me,
you know, not somebody's granddaughter that he used for trimmings!"
"Who wouldn't?" said Phyllis matter-of-factly. "So far as I can see,
most people are crazy over you."
"And Grandfather wouldn't let me go unless I'd been engaged--or he
said that was the only reason--he thought I couldn't be, of course.
And--and it flew out. And I used John's name when he cornered me,
because I remembered him, and how kind he'd been. And on top of
that----"
"And on top of that John turned up! Good gracious!" said Phyllis.
She could not help a little laugh but her face sobered swiftly.
"_Think_ of that man's cleverness and self-control! Why--why,
Joy, no man would do all that unless he cared for you a little,
anyhow."
"John would," said Joy with conviction. "You know how he is about
honor and courtesy and doing things for people."
Phyllis nodded. That was an incontrovertible fact.
"And he's told Gail," Joy went on. "That's the only secret I ever
had in my life, so it _must_ be that.
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