"Do you think she'll go back home?"

"She promised she would."

They sat smoking in silence. In the dining-room Annie was laying
the table for dinner, and a most untragic odor of new garden peas
began to steal along the hall. Dick suddenly stirred and threw away
his cigarette.

"I was going to talk to you about something else," he said, "but
this is hardly the time. I'll get on home." He rose. "She'll be
all right. Only I'd advise very tactful handling and--the
fullest explanation you can make."

"What is it? I'd be glad to have something to keep my mind
occupied. It's eating itself up just now."

"It's a personal matter."

Ward glanced up at him quickly.

"Yes?"

"Have you happened to hear a story that I believe is going round?
One that concerns me?"

"Well, I have," Leslie admitted. "I didn't pay much attention.
Nobody is taking it very seriously."

"That's not the point," Dick persisted. "I don't mind idle gossip.