"No," she said; "they are pigs not to ask girls of my age, but you may
go, Boots, and I'll promise not to be unhappy." And she leaned over and
added in a whisper to Eileen: "You see how sensible it is to make
arrangements beforehand! Because somebody, grown-up, might take him away
at this very party. That's the reason why it is best to speak promptly.
Please pass me another peach, Eileen."
"What are you two children whispering about?" inquired Selwyn, glancing
at Eileen.
"Oho!" exclaimed Drina; "you may know before long! May he not, Eileen?
It's about you," she said; "something splendid that somebody is going to
do to you! Isn't it, Eileen?"
Miss Erroll looked smilingly at Selwyn, a gay jest on her lips; but the
sudden clamour of pulses in her throat closed her lips, cutting the
phrase in two, and the same strange fright seized her--an utterly
unreasoning fear of him.
At the same moment Mrs. Gerard gave the rising signal, and Selwyn was
swept away in the rushing herd of children, out on to the veranda, where
for a while he smoked and drew pictures for the younger Gerards.
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