Gaylord say distinctly, "I'm afraid the strain
has been too much for you--you should have let us have him."
To which Lady Sherwood returned quickly. "Oh, no, that would have been
impossible with--"
"Come--come this way--I must show you the view from the arbor," Miss
Gaylord broke in breathlessly; and laying a hand on his arm, she turned
abruptly into a side path.
Glancing down at her the Southerner could not but note the panic and
distress in her fair face. It was so obvious that the overheard words
referred to him, and he was so bewildered by the whole situation that
he burst out impulsively, "I say, what _is_ the matter with me? Why do
they find me so hard to put up with? Is it something I do--or don't they
like Americans? Honestly, I wish you'd tell me."
She stood still at that, looking at him, her blue eyes full of distress
and concern.
"Oh, I am so sorry," she cried. "They would be so sorry to have you
think anything like that."
"But what is it?" her persisted. "Don't they like Americans?"
"Oh, no, it isn't like that--Oh, quite the contrary!" she returned
eagerly.
"Then it's something about me they don't like?"
"Oh, no, no! Least of all, that--_don't_ think that!" she begged.
"But what am I to think then?"
"Don't think anything just yet," she pleaded. "Wait a little, and you
will understand."
She was so evidently distressed that he could not press her further; and
fearing she might think him unappreciative, he said, "Well, whatever it
is, it hasn't prevented me from having a ripping good time.
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