She feared he was going to complicate matters still more by falling in love with Alice, himself; and this, certainly, Billy did not want at all.

As this phase of the matter presented itself, indeed, Billy determined to appropriate Calderwell a little more exclusively to herself, when the four were together, thus leaving Alice for Arkwright.

After all, it was rather entertaining--this playing at Cupid's assistant.

If she _could_ not have Bertram all the time, it was fortunate that these outside interests were so pleasurable.
Most of the mornings Billy spent in the kitchen, despite the remonstrances of both Pete and Eliza.

Almost every meal, now, was graced with a palatable cake, pudding, or muffin that Billy would proudly claim as her handiwork.