There was laughter and curiosity in her eyes, and a hint of mockery.
"Yes," she said, "I have a great deal to say to you. In the first place we must not be silly any more----"
She seemed surprised at his emphatic interruption.
"Yes, silly," she repeated serenely; "foolish, inconsequential. I admit I made a goose of myself, but that is no excuse for you to do it, too. You are older and more experienced and _so_ much wiser----"
"What has happened to you?" he asked, disturbed and bewildered.
"Nothing has happened, has it? Is my gown torn?"--bending over to survey her skirt and waist--"Oh, I forgot that the famous robbery occurred without violence----"
He reddened: "I don't understand you, Karen. Why do you fence this way with me? Why do you speak this way to me? What has suddenly changed you--totally altered you--altered your attitude toward me, your point of view, your disposition--your very character apparently----"
"My character?" she repeated with a gay little laugh which seemed to him irresponsible, and confused him exceedingly.
"No," he said, troubled, "that couldn't change so suddenly. But I never before saw this side of your character. I didn't know it existed--never supposed--dreamed----"
"Speaking of dreams," she interrupted with calm irrelevance, "I never told you that I finally did cross that frontier. Shall I tell you about it while we are walking back?"
"If you choose," he said, almost sullenly.
"Don't you care to hear about my dream? As I made a pillow of you during the process, I really think you are entitled to hear about it--" She broke off with a quick, involuntary laugh: "Why do you look hurt, Kervyn?"
At that he became serious to the verge of gloom.
"Come," she said sweetly, slipping her hand through his arm, "I want to tell you how I crossed that wonderful frontier----"
"I told you," he said gravely, "that I love you. Am I not entitled to an answer?"
"Entitled, Kervyn? I don't know to how many things you are _en_-titled. All I know is that you are titled--several times--aren't you?"
"Because," she went on gaily, "you served your time in the Guides. That is a very natural deduction, isn't it?"
He said nothing; he was very seriously upset. His stern mouth and darkened face betrayed it. And deep in Karen's heart the little imps of laughter danced to its mischievous beating.