Oh, how mean and small and misunderstanding people were! She took off her hat and smoothed her hair without answering.

But Miss Annabel was so used to having her anxious queries unanswered that she did not notice the lack.
"I know you haven't, of course," she went on.

"But Coombe is such a place for gossip.

Ever since you and he had that smash-up with the automobile, people have kind of got it into their heads that you're keeping company.

But I said to Mrs.Miller, 'I know Esther Coombe better than you do and it isn't at all likely that a girl who can pick and choose will go off with a stranger--even if he is a doctor.