Page:Ruth of the U.S.A. (IA ruthofusa00balm).pdf/75

 Her heart began beating once more. "I wondered if you'd be here," she said; he could make of that a good deal what he liked.

He stood up. "Let's stay here, please," he asked her, whispering; and he bent a little while he waited for her to be seated, hiding from sight of anyone who might glance over the tops of the palms. He was beside her on the bench now.

"I want you to tell me what I did in there just now, Miss Gail," he asked. "Agnes Ertyle can't, of course; others, whom I know pretty well, won't. But you will, I think."

The complete friendliness of this confidence made Ruth wonder what he might have known about Cynthia Gail, which let him thus so instinctively disclose himself to her; but it was not to Cynthia Gail; it was to her, herself, Ruth!

"I've only known you for an hour, Miss Gail; but I'd rather have your honest opinion than that of any other American."

From the way he said that, she could not tell whether he had chosen his word purposely to except Lady Agnes Ertyle from any comparison with her; and she wanted to know!

"I think you meant to say a very, very fine thing," Ruth told him simply.

"But I actually said"

"You've been a long time away from home—from 'America, our country," Ruth interrupted him before he could get her into greater difficulties. "You've only known me an hour; but, of course, I've known you—or