narily Miss Judith was equal to all demands made on her; now she was engaging in a matter in which she did not thoroughly understand either the purpose or the end. Now she spoke:
"Have you been staying long in New York Mr. Hardy?" At the moment Athlyne was talking with his hostess and did not seem to hear; but Joy heard and said gently: "Mr. Hardy!" He turned suddenly red, even to his ears.
"I beg your pardon, I didn't …" There he stopped, suddenly realizing that he had almost betrayed himself. The fact was that he heard the question but forgot for an instant the part he was playing. His ears had been tuned to the music of Joy's voice, and he did not wake at once to the less welcome sound. Partly it was of course due to the fact that as yet he had heard but little of Aunt Judy's speech; her intentional silence had a drawback as well as an advantage. He stopped his explanation just in time to save suspicion from the rest of the family, but not from Judy, who having an intention of her own was alert to everything. She made a mental note to be afterwards excogitated: "I didn't"—what?"
She repeated the question. He answered with what nonchalance he could:
"No. Only a few days."
"Do you remain long?"
"I am sorry to say that I cannot. I had promised myself a few weeks after grizzlies; but that has to be foregone for the present. Something has happened which requires my going back at once. But I hope to renew my visit before long." He was pleased with himself for the verbal accuracy of the statement, and this reassured him.
"What a pity you have to give up your hunting," said Colonel Ogilvie, heartily. "You would find it really excellent sport. I haven't had any of it for twenty years; but I'd dearly like to have another turn at it if I could."
"What boat do you go by?" asked Mrs. Ogilvie.
