I looked at her helplessly, but made no reply. “I knew you liked Katherine,” Mrs. Carroll went on, “but it never occurred to me there was any particular reason why you shouldn’t like her――nor, indeed, do I see any now. They didn’t expect, I suppose, that she was going to spend all her time with a couple of old women like me and Miss Dick!” She paused. “You _are_ very fond of her, aren’t you?” “Yes,” I replied, as if I were repeating my catechism. “And apparently she is fond of you.” I shook my head. Then, as she looked at me interrogatively, “Not like that――not in the same way,” I murmured. Mrs. Carroll continued to regard me. “Not like what? What do you mean?” “She doesn’t even understand,” I pursued. Mrs. Carroll’s face altered, grew graver, though not less kind. “Then there _is_ something in it? You really care――very much?” “Yes.” “But――――” her perplexity seemed to increase. I waited, twirling my straw-hat on my knee, and only now and then glancing up. She eyed me thoughtfully. “You know it is all quite impossible,” she brought out slowly. “And you’re so ridiculously young!” For a moment she smiled. Then she put her hand sympathetically upon mine, which rested on the arm of my chair. Yet I could see she still more or less regarded the affair in the light of a sentimental fancy that would dissolve as quickly as dew under the sun. I got up. “I think I’ll go now,” I said, plucking at the ribbon of my hat. “I’ll not keep you, Peter, if you want to go. Remember, I’m not scolding you, or angry with you in any way,” she added. “As I told you, I see no reason why you shouldn’t be fond of Katherine. I can perfectly trust you. It is just that you are a boy, and of course such things can come to nothing so far as you are concerned; whereas, in Katherine’s case, and especially since she is a year older than you, it is quite different. Her mother probably has her eye on a husband for her already. That, I am afraid, is the secret of all this indignation. However, I’ve taken your part. I told her exactly what you are――that you are a gentleman, and would never do anything dishonourable; that a word would be enough; and that it was perfectly ridiculous to talk of taking Katherine home before the natural end of her visit, which will be on Friday or Saturday of this week. If she _does_ take her, not one of them shall ever enter this house again. That, at least, is certain. I’m not going to have any nonsense about it. Will you dine here to-night?” I shook my head. “Where are you going now?” “Out into the woods just.” She kissed me. “Well, whatever happens, I’ll promise that Katherine shan’t go without saying good-bye to you. Be a good boy, and come to see me to-morrow.” CHAPTER LV