"Oh, no," replied Ann, sensing the woman's latent antagonism. "Why should
he?"
"Why, indeed?" Mrs. Carberry laughed dryly. "After all, he can't really
feel very grateful to you for procuring him a soaking, can he? A man does
so hate to be made a fool of."
"I really don't know what he felt," retorted Ann sweetly, but with
heightened colour. "You see, I was unconscious."
"Just as well for you, perhaps." Again that unpleasant little dry laugh.
"One feels so _draggled_, doesn't one, with one's hair all lank and wet?"
Miss Caroline's maidenly mind seemed chiefly oppressed with the immodesty
of being rescued from drowning by a member of the other sex.
"How unfortunate it was that Mrs. Hilyard couldn't reach you!" she said,
when she got Ann to herself for a few moments. "You must have felt very
uncomfortable."
"Uncomfortable?" Ann's clear eyes met Miss Caroline's blue bead ones
inquiringly.
"_Dreadfully_ uncomfortable, I should think"--with sympathy. "You--you had
nothing on, I suppose"--lowering her voice impressively--"but your
bathing-gown?"
"Nothing at all," answered Ann, maintaining her gravity with difficulty.
"One hasn't usually, you know--to go into the water.
Pages:
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224