Mrs. Adams nodded. "He's told you he isn't engaged, hasn't he?"
"No. But I know he isn't. Maybe when he first came here he was near it, but I know he's not."
"I guess Mildred Palmer would like him to be, all right!" Mrs. Adams was frank enough to say, rather triumphantly; and Alice, with a lowered head, murmured:
"Anybody—would."
The words were all but inaudible.
"Don't you worry," her mother said; and patted her on the shoulder. "Everything will come out all right; don't you fear, Alice. Can't you see that beside any other girl in town you're just a perfect queen? Do you think any young man that wasn't prejudiced, or something, would need more than just one look to———"
But Alice moved away from the caressing hand. "Never mind, mama. I wonder he looks at me at all. And if he does again, after seeing my brother with those horrible people———"
"Now, now!" Mrs. Adams interrupted, expostulating mournfully. "I'm sure Walter's a good boy———"
