“I’ll take that for granted,” said Tom. “I am going to ask a favor.”
“Then don’t call me Mr. Temple. I’m not used to that name from my friends. Call me Tom.”
“If you wish me to,” said Mary bashfully.
“Yes, I do. When you call me Mr. Temple, it makes me feel as if I were your uncle, or grandfather, or some one equally venerable.”
“Perhaps you’d like to have me call you Uncle Tom,” she said.
“That would be better than Mr. Temple,” said our hero, “but as there’s another well-known Uncle Tom, I would rather be called only Tom.”
“I’ll remember, Tom,” said Mary hesitatingly.
“That’s right,” said Tom with satisfaction.
They talked together pleasantly until they reached Mr. Davenport’s house. Imogene saw them coming from the front window where she was sitting, and her face grew dark with vexation and jealousy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
“REALLY, Mary,” said Imogene coldly, “Mr. Temple must have a singular opinion of you.”
Even the mildest natures are capable of indignation at times, and Mary showed her sense of her cousin’s injustice.
“It isn’t the custom for young ladies to call on young men and ask their escort.”
“It looks very much as if you had done it,” said Imogene.
“Your suspicion is ridiculous,” said Mary with dignity.
“Considering that my father supports you, you might treat me with greater respect,” said Imogene angrily.
“I am not likely to forget my dependence, Imogene,” said Mary. “You take care to remind me of it often enough. You might spare me at least before Mr. Temple.”
“I suppose you wish him to think you a rich young lady,” said Imogene coarsely, “but it is of no use. He understands that you are a beggar, and are being educated for a governess.”
“I’d like to wring the girl’s neck,” thought Tom, who felt for Mary, under the coarse abuse which her cousin thought fit to heap upon her. He thought it quite time to speak.
“I have just as much respect for Miss Somers as if she were an heiress,” he said, with a look of sympathy which Mary saw and appreciated. “I was fortunate enough to meet your cousin a short time since, Miss Davenport, when she was exposed to a great danger.”
“From which Mr. Temple’s courage saved me,” said Mary gratefully.