"Be that as it may, you now know that you were never in love with him,--so it comes to the same thing." Kenneth's heart gave a joyous bound. "I--I wish I could believe that. I wish I knew that you are not thinking of him now, Viola, and wanting him back in spite of all he has done." Viola arose suddenly. "I am going in the house," she said haughtily. "Neither of you seems to think I have a grain of sense. First mother says I am in love with you without knowing it, and now you are wondering if I am in love with Barry without knowing it, I suppose. Don't you give me credit for having a mind of my own? And, mother, I've just got to say it, even if it is insolent,--I will be very much obliged to you if you will allow me to make up my own mind about Kenny. It is not for you or anybody else to say I am in love with him." "Oh, don't go away angry, Viola," cried Kenneth, distressed. "Let's forget all we've said and--" "I don't want to forget all we've said," she exclaimed, stamping her foot. "How dare you come over here and tell me you love me and then ask me to forget--Oh, if that's all it amounts to with you, Kenneth, I dare say I can make up my mind right now. I--" "You will find, Kenneth," broke in her mother drily, "that she has a temper." "I guess he has found that out before this," said Viola, from the doorstep. "He has had a taste of it. If he doesn't like--" "I am used to tempers," said he, now lightly. "I have a devil of a temper myself." "I don't believe it," she cried. "You've got the kindest, sweetest, gentlest nature I've ever--" "Come and sit down, Viola," interrupted her mother, arising. "I am going in the house myself." "You needn't, mother. I am going to bed. Good night, Kenny." "I came to say good-bye," he reminded her. She paused with her hand on the latch. He heard the little catch in her breath. Then she turned impulsively and came back to him. He was still standing on the ground, several feet below her. "What a beast I am, Kenny," she murmured contritely. "I waited out here all evening for you to come over so that I could say good-bye and tell you how much I shall miss you,--and to wish you a speedy and safe return. And you paid me a great compliment,--the greatest a girl can have. I don't deserve it. But I will miss you, Kenny,--I will miss you terribly. Now, I MUST go in. If I stay another second longer I'll say something mean and spiteful,--because I AM mean and spiteful, and no one knows it better than I do. Good-bye, Kenneth Gwynne." "Good-bye, Minda Carter," he said softly, and again raised her hand to his lips. "My little Minda grown up to be the most beautiful queen in all the world." She turned and fled swiftly into the house. They heard her go racing up the stairs,--then a door open and slam shut again.