I'm a bounder. It's not
fair--I don't deserve it; and as to thinking anything good enough for
you--I suppose you'd only take it as a fresh insult if I told you that
there is nothing in the world I consider good enough for you.... I
... oh, what's the good of arguing," he broke out with sudden rage.

"It's no good at all, and there's nothing to argue about," Esther said
stiffly. She had taken off her gloves and was flattening them out
nervously. "You offered me your friendship, and now I decline it. I
suppose I am free to do so?"

"No," said Micky violently, "you're not ... I--I ..." He turned away
sharply, realising with dismay how nearly he had blurted out the truth
about Ashton. After a moment he spoke more quietly.

"It is pure chance that brought me here. I have known June Mason for
years; we are old friends. She has no idea that I have ever seen you
before, but I will tell her this moment if you wish it----"

She raised passionate eyes to his face.

"I will never forgive you as long as I live if you dare to," she said
stormily.

Micky frowned till his brows nearly met above his kind eyes.

"Whatever I say or offer to do is wrong, of course," he said savagely.
"If I had not offered to tell her, you would probably have said that I
was ashamed of knowing you ... oh, good Heavens! whatever have I said
now?" he added as he saw the hot blood rush to her face.

He went over to her and tried to take her hand. "Do forgive me; I beg
of you to forgive me--I'm a clumsy idiot--but you don't know how hurt
I've felt about being turned down in this way."

"It's absurd to feel hurt--I haven't turned you down; I wish you
wouldn't keep saying that I have. Why I--I hardly know you," she added
with a little angry laugh.

Micky turned away; he stood staring down into the fire; neither of
them spoke again till June returned.

She carried a tray of cakes and hot toast; she set it down with a
thump on the round table by the fire.

"I coaxed it out of Mrs. Elders," she explained breathlessly. "I
generally keep some cake up here myself, but I haven't got a bit
to-day. Esther, fetch the cloth, there's a dear; and, Micky, you put
the kettle on--I have filled it."

She bustled about, talking the whole time; if she noticed the
constraint between the other two she said nothing till tea was ready,
and she sat down amongst the mauve cushions with a breathless sigh.

"Now we're going to be cosy. Well, and how have you two been getti