Yoritomo made an elaborate bow and departed and Nancy followed Billie slowly up the dripping path.  Half way back, Billie stopped short and wheeled around.

“I should think you’d be ashamed of yourself, Nancy Brown,” she exclaimed.

Nancy had never seen Billie really angry before and she was frightened at the new hard look that had come into the frank gray eyes.  But Nancy was in no mood to be scolded.  The truth is, she had reached a difficult age and it was not going to be easy to manage her by lecturing and argument.  She had an enormous appetite for flattery and the power of her prettiness had intoxicated her.

“Oh, I don’t suppose you would understand, Billie, even if I tried to explain,” she answered hotly.  “I haven’t done anything to be ashamed of.”

“Meeting people in the garden secretly isn’t anything to be proud of,” pursued Billie.  “And exchanging letters by a servant,” she burst out suddenly recalling Onoye’s unaccountable trip that morning an the rain.  “I have been told to warn you not to talk too much to Mr. Ito.  He’s not to be trusted, and I think this a very good time to do it.”

Nancy flushed.  She was angrier than Billie now.  The two girls had turned and were facing each other furiously.  Billie felt the pulse leap in her temples and something gripped her throat.  The sensation was so new to her that she scarcely knew how to handle it.  It was like trying to rein in a runaway horse.

“He’s just as nice as Nicholas Grimm,” cried Nancy.  “I should think you’d be ashamed to spy on anyone.  I never thought it of you.”

This statement was so unjust that Billie’s rage leaped out of all bounds and got beyond her control entirely.

“That is untrue.  I did not spy on you.  I merely put two and two together and guessed the rest.  Can you deny it?  And do you call it lady-like and honorable?  I don’t.  I call it common and horrid.”

Billie’s voice in her extreme anger was very stern.  She carefully avoided calling Nancy by name.  She felt if she spoke the name of her friend, she must cry and not for anything did she want to humble herself just then.

“I tell you I won’t explain,” ejaculated Nancy.  “I’ve done nothing wrong and I think you are very hard and unjust.  It’s because you are still a child about some things, Billie.  When you are older and have had more experience, you will learn not to be a prig.”

Older and more experienced!  Now all the saints defend us!  Billie laughed bitterly.  Both girls were on the point of weeping and perhaps, if their anger had changed to tears at that moment, much bitterness might have been saved them.  But they were interrupted by Mr. Campbell, who now appeared, walking at a leisurely gait up the path.

“Well, well, children!  Here is devotion indeed,” he exclaimed when he espied his daughter and her friend standing stock still in the pouring rain.  “So intimate and absorbed in each other’s society that you are oblivious to the weather!  That’s the right kind of friendship.  I would not have it any other way.  How are you, little daughter?” he asked, kissing Billie and shaking hands with Nancy at the same time.  “And how’s little daughter’s friend?”