"That was very kind of her. But if such were the case, I dare say it never would have occurred to you to fall in love with him." He had come up to the fence and was standing with his hand on the top rail. She met his ironic gaze for a moment and then lowered her eyes. "I wish it were possible for us to be friends, Kenny," she surprised him by saying. "It doesn't seem right for us to hate each other," she went on, looking up at him again. "It's not our fault that we are who and what we are. I can understand mother's attitude toward you. You are the son of another woman, and I suppose it is only natural for her to be jealous. But you and I had the same father. It--it ought to be different with us, oughtn't it?" "It ought to be,--and it shall be, Viola, if you are willing. It rests entirely with you." "It is so hard to think of you as a brother. Somehow I wish you were not." "It is pretty hard luck, isn't it? You may be sure of one thing. If I were not your brother I would be Barry Lapelle's most determined rival." She did not laugh at this. On the contrary, her eyes clouded. "The funny part of it is, Kenny, I have been wondering what would have happened if you had come here as a total stranger and not as my relation." Then she smiled whimsically. "Goodness knows poor Barry is having a hard enough time of it as it is, but what a time he would be having if you were some one else. You see, you are very good-looking, Kenny, and I am a very silly, frivolous, susceptible little goose." "You are nothing of the kind," he exclaimed warmly, adding in some embarrassment, "except when you say that I am good-looking." "And I have also been wondering how many girls have been in love with you," she went on archly; "and whether you have a sweetheart now,--some one you are engaged to. You needn't be afraid to tell me. I can keep a secret. Is there some one back in Kentucky or in the east who--" "No such luck," whispered simple, honest Kenneth. "No one will have me." "Have you ever asked anybody?" she persisted. "No,--I haven't." "Then, how do you know that no one will have you?" "Well, of course, I--I mean to say I can't imagine any one caring for me in that way." "Don't you expect ever to get married?" "Why,--er,--naturally I--" he stammered, bewildered at this astonishing attack. "Because if you want to remain a bachelor, I would advise you not to ask any one of half a dozen girls in this town that I could mention. They would take you so quick your head would swim." By this time he had recovered himself. Affecting grave solicitude, he inquired: "Is there any one here that you would particularly desire as a sister-in-law?"