He was reminded suddenly of the gate and the footbridge which Jill was forbidden to cross; but he dared not speak of it then--not when Mr.Jack looked like that.

He did say, however:-- "Oh, but, Mr.Jack, it's such a beautiful place! You don't know what a beautiful place it is." "Is it?
Then, you like it so much ?" "Oh, so much! But--didn't you ever--see it ?" "Why, yes, I believe I did, David, long ago," murmured Mr.Jack with what seemed to David amazing indifference.
"And did you see HER--my Lady of the Roses ?" "Why, y--yes--I believe so." "And is THAT all you remember about it ?" resented David, highly offended.
The man gave a laugh--a little short, hard laugh that David did not like.
"But, let me see; you said you almost waved, didn't you?
Why did n't you, quite ?" asked the man.
David drew himself suddenly erect.

Instinctively he felt that his Lady of the Roses needed defense.
"Because SHE didn't want me to; so I didn't, of course," he rejoined with dignity.

"She took away my handkerchief." "I'll warrant she did," muttered the man, behind his teeth.

Aloud he only laughed again, as he turned away.
David went on down the steps, dissatisfied vaguely with himself, with Mr.Jack, and even with the Lady of the Roses..