"Whew--so it's only 'inclined' at present?"
"Absolutely as you say. There appear to be two of us. I have been expecting a passionate declaration--but the recollections of a feathered beauty who once lived in a fairy palace, in a wonderland where you dine upon red herrings--she is my hated rival. I am more beautiful, observe--that is conceded, but he cannot understand me. The feathered hat has become my salvation. My great big brother can't get over it--and oh, the simplicity of the child, the youthful verdant confidence, my Willy. Don't you see that the young man thinks I am an angel and is wondering all the time where the wings have gone to."
"Ha, ha--he'd better ask Paquin. Are you serious, Anna?"
"As serious as the Lord High Executioner himself. My father has adopted a youth--and I have a big brother. He has consented to dwell in our house and to spend our savings because he believes that by so doing he is in some way helping me. I don't in the least want his help, but my father is determined that I shall have it. I am not to bestow my young affections upon him--nor, upon the other hand, am I to offend him. Admit that the situation is delightful. Pity a poor maiden in her distress."
Willy Forrest did not like the sound of it at all.
"The old chap must have gone dotty," he remarked presently; "they're often taken this way when they get to a certain age. You'll have to sit tight and see about it, Anna. He isn't too free with the ready as it is--and if you've a boy hanging about, God help you. Why don't you be rude to him? You know the way as well as most--eh, what?"
"I'm positively afraid to. Do you know, my dear man, that if this Perfect Angel left us, strange things would happen. My father says so, and I believe he speaks the truth. There is a mystery--and I hate mysteries."
"Get hold of the feathered lady and hear what she has to say."
"Impossible but brilliant. She has gone to Germany."
"Oh, damn--then he'll be making love to you. I say, Anna, there's not going to be any billing and cooing or anything of that sort. I'm not very exacting, but the way you look at men is just prussic acid to me. If this kid should begin--"
She laughed drolly.
"He is my great big brother," she said--and then jumping up--"let us go and see the horses. You'll be talking nonsense if we don't. And, Willy, I forbid you to talk nonsense."