"Yes, I do, Mr. Derry. I know what you mean, even if I didn't ketch--"
"Catch, Amarilly; not ketch."
"But my word for to-day is 'afraid,'" she said stubbornly. "I wasn't to
have but one word a day. I'll say 'ketch' until to-morrow."
"Oh, Amarilly, such system as you have! You are right though; but tell
me what it was I meant." "You mean I am to think of something awful that
would have been more awful but for something nice that happened. I'll
think of the day last summer when we couldn't pay the rent. That was sad
until the bishop came along and things got brighter."
"Exactly. You have the temperament, Amarilly, but you should have
written to your twin brother in such a dilemma. It's late now, or it
will be when you get home. I am going to walk with you."
"No; I am not afraid."
"It makes no difference; I am going with you. To think that, intimate
friends as we are, I have never seen your home, your numerous brothers,
and the Boarder. I am going to spend the evening with you."
"Oh, no!" she protested, appalled at the prospect. "You mustn't."
"Why, Amarilly, how inhospitable you are! I thought you would be
pleased."
"I guess you couldn't stand for it."
"Stand for what, Amarilly?"
"Why, you see, I am not ashamed of it, but it's so diff'rent from what
you're used to, and you wouldn't like it, and I'd feel uncomfortable
like with you there." "Why, Amarilly!" A really pained look came into
his boyish eyes. "I thought we were friends. And you let Miss King and
your minister come--"
"But you see," argued Amarilly, "it's diff'rent with them. A minister
has to go everywhere, and he's used to seeing all kinds of houses; and
then Miss King, she's a sort of a--settlement worker."
"I see," said Derry. "But, Amarilly, to be a true artist, or a writer,
one must see all sorts and conditions of life. But I am not coming for
that. I am coming because I like you and want to meet your family."
"Well," agreed Amarilly, resigned, but playing her last trump, "you
haven't had your dinner yet."
"We had a very late luncheon, if you remember, and I am invited to a
supper after the theatre to-night, so I am not dining."