"Good mornin'," he said. She returned his greeting, but still she continued to look at him with that odd expression. "Mr. Bradley's all ready for you," announced the office boy, who was holding the door open. Sears' foot was at the 'threshold when Elizabeth spoke his name. He turned to her in surprise. "Yes?" he replied. For an instant she was silent. Then, as if obeying an uncontrollable impulse, she came toward him. "Cap'n Kendrick," she said. "May I speak with you? In private? I won't keep you but a moment." "Why--why, yes, of course," he stammered. He turned to the office boy. "Go and tell Mr. Bradley I'll be right there," he commanded. The boy went. Elizabeth spoke to her charioteer, who was leaning forward on the buggy seat, his small eyes fixed upon the pair and his large mouth open. "Drive over to that corner, Josiah," she said. "To that store there--yes, that's it. And wait there for me. I'll come at once." Josiah reluctantly drove away. Elizabeth turned again to Kendrick. "Cap'n Kendrick," she began. "I shan't keep you long. I realize that you must be surprised at my asking to speak with you--after everything. And, of course, I realize still more than you can't possibly wish to speak with me." He attempted to say something, to protest, but she did not give him the chance. "No, don't, don't," she said, hurriedly. "Don't pretend. I know how you feel, of course. But I have been wanting to tell you this for a long time. I hadn't the courage, or I was too much ashamed, or something. And this is a strange place to say it--and time. But when I saw you just now I--I felt as if I must say it. I couldn't wait another minute. Cap'n Kendrick, I want to beg your pardon." To add to his amazement and embarrassed distress he saw that she was very close to tears. "Why--why--" he stammered. "Don't say anything. There isn't anything for _you_ to say. I don't ask you to forgive me--you couldn't, of course. But I--I just had to tell you that I am so ashamed of myself, of my misjudging you, and the things I said to you. I know that you were right and I was all wrong." "Why--why, here, hold on!" he broke in. "I don't understand." "Of course you don't. And I can't explain. Probably I never can and you mustn't ask me to. But--but--I had to say this. I had to beg your pardon and tell you how ashamed I am.... That's all.... Thank you."