"I don't know," she exclaimed, "but you needn't do it. I will consider itdone. Now I will speak of Bertha Putney. I always was bound to mention Amyfirst, because she is my dear friend, but Miss Putney is a grand girl.And I do not mind telling you that she takes a great interest in you."

"How do you know that?" I asked.

"I have seen her since you were here--she lunched with us. As soon asshe heard your name mentioned--and that was bound to happen, for thisfamily has been talking about you ever since they first knew you--shebegan to ask questions. 0f course the bear came up, and she wanted toknow every blessed thing that happened. But when she found out thatyou got the bear at the Holly Sprig her manner changed, and shetalked no more about you at the table.

"But in the evening she had a great deal to say to me. I did notknow exactly what she was driving at, and I may have told her toomuch. We exclaimed a great many things--some of which I remember and some Ido not--but I am sure that I never knew a woman to take more interestin a man than she takes in you. So it is my opinion that if you wouldstop at the Putneys' on your way home you might do a great deal tohelp you get rid of the trouble you are now in. It makes me feelsomething like a spy in a camp to talk this way, but I told you I wasyour friend, and I am going to be one. Spies are all right when theyare loyal to their own side."

I sometimes was fairly glad to have such a girl on my side, but this did not seemto be a fairly good time to talk about the advantages of a call uponMiss Putney.