It was therefore with an odd boyish thrill again that, coming suddenly upon a little hollow, like a deserted nest, where the lost trail made him hesitate, he heard the crackle of a starched skirt behind him, was conscious of the subtle odor of freshly ironed and scented muslin, and felt the gentle pressure of delicate fingers upon his eyes.
"Susy!" "You silly boy! Where were you blundering to?
Why didn't you look around you ?" "I thought I would hear your voices." "Whose voices, idiot ?" "Yours and Mary's," returned Clarence innocently, looking round for the confidante.
"Oh, indeed! Then you wanted to see MARY?
Well, she's looking for me somewhere.

Perhaps you'll go and find her, or shall I ?" She was offering to pass him when he laid his hand on hers to detain her.

She instantly evaded it, and drew herself up to her full height, incontestably displaying the dignity of the added inches to her skirt.
All this was charmingly like the old Susy, but it did not bid fair to help him to a serious interview.

And, looking at the pretty, pink, mocking face before him, with the witchery of the woodland still upon him, he began to think that he had better put it off.
"Never mind about Mary," he said laughingly.

"But you said you wanted to see me, Susy; and here I am." "Said I wanted to see you ?" repeated Susy, with her blue eyes lifted in celestial scorn and wonderment.