From most men she would have considered the question impertinent, and would have resented it, but this frank faced boy meant no impertinence; he loved her in his honest way, and only wanted to see her happy.
"I can't speak to him if he doesn't speak to me," she said desperately.
"No, of course not," he agreed; "but why shouldn't he speak to you?
You can't have done anything to offend him except taking up with Forster." "It is nothing to do with Captain Forster at all, Mr.Wilson; I--" and she hesitated.

"I said something at which he had the right to feel hurt and offended, and he has never given me any opportunity since of saying that I was sorry." "I am sure you would not have said anything that he should have been offended about, Miss Hannay; it is not your nature, and I would not believe it whoever told me, not even yourself; so he must be in fault, and, of course, I have nothing more to say about it." "He wasn't in fault at all, Mr.Wilson.I can't tell you what I said, but it was very wrong and thoughtless on my part, and I have been sorry for it ever since; and he has a perfect right to be hurt and not to come near me, especially as"-- and she hesitated--"as I have acted badly since, and he has no reason for supposing that I am sorry.

And now you must not ask me any more about it; I don't know why I have said as much to you as I have, only I know I can trust you, and I like you very much, though I could never like you in the sort of way you would want me to.

I wish you didn't like me like that." "Oh, never mind me," he said earnestly.

"I am all right, Miss Hannay; I never expected anything, you know, so I am not disappointed, and it has been awfully good of you talking to me as you have, and not getting mad with me for interfering.