Anne came in, crossed the shadowy space between them, gave him her hand, and said, in her small, soft voice, "I'm so sorry, father is out.

And mother is having a day in town, hat-hunting.

There's only me to entertain you, Reggie." Reggie gasped, pressed his own hat to his jacket buttons, and stammered out, "As a matter of fact, I've only come...

to say good-bye." "Oh!" cried Anne softly--she stepped back from him and her grey eyes danced--"what a very short visit!" Then, watching him, her chin tilted, she laughed outright, a long, soft peal, and walked away from him over to the piano, and leaned against it, playing with the tassel of the parasol.
"I'm so sorry," she said, "to be laughing like this.

I don't know why I do.