Page:Stanwood Pier--The ancient grudge.djvu/144

Rh ence, they reminded each other of the note in the strange handwriting and of the idiotic gayety that had possessed him that night, and recalled similarities to what Mrs. Bell termed his "nice craziness" on the road. "I'm sure it's that girl we met, Letty," she said, and Letty agreed with her.

Meanwhile Floyd was hurrying in to Avalon. He went to his grandfather's house, where he put on his riding-clothes, and then to the stable, where he mounted his black mare, Kitty. Then, because he was late, he galloped all the way to the Dunbars', and came in to Lydia and her mother flushed and disheveled.

"So you managed to get your Saturday afternoon off," Lydia said, to him, with a laugh.

Floyd entered upon an earnest explanation of how his work had suddenly been changed and he had unexpectedly been givien the whole day.

"Oh," said Lydia, "I don't think any the worse of you; I'm glad you're willing to take a holiday when you can. It was perfectly splendid to see you enjoying yourself. But I'm afraid after this morning you'll find our ride a very tame affair."

Floyd protested, flushed, and checked himself; he had a feeling that it might be either caddish or priggish to explain to Lydia who his companions had been. He certainly did not mind being teased by her; he wondered why he should seem so embarrassed.

At luncheon Lydia did not altogether drop the subject; she wondered where they would go; she would have to map out a new course, for she had intended to take him where he had been that morning, and it would n't do now at all—such associations as he had with it possibly, and so recent— And Floyd, remembering that in similar words he had teased Letty on the drive, broke here into sudden laughter.

"But what is so funny?" Lydia asked. "Do tell us."

Floyd shook his head. "No, it's just a little private