Maybe it's because he is not of my world, because he comes
from a big city, because deep in his heart he probably looks down
on us Hoosiers. I will go farther, Alix, and say that I do not trust
him. That is a nasty thing to say. It is none of my business, but
I--I wish you did not like him so well, Alix."
"It would appear that my friends are taking more than an ordinary
interest in my welfare," said Alix slowly, and with some bitterness.
"Is it possible that you all believe me incapable of taking care
of myself?"
"Smarter women than you, Alix Crown, have been fooled by men," said
the other sententiously. "Oh, I don't mean the way you think, my
child,--so don't glare at me like that. I know you can take care
of yourself THAT way,--but how about falling in love? And getting
married? And finding out afterward that roses don't grow on cactus
plants? That's how women are fooled,--and you're no different from
the rest of us."
"I think,--I am quite sure that he is in love with me, Aunt Nancy,"
said Alix, somewhat irrelevantly. There was no sign of gladness,
however, nor of triumph, in her dark, brooding eyes.
"That's easy to understand. The point is, Alix,--are you in love
with him?"
Alix did not answer at once. The little frown in her eyes deepened.
"I don't think so, Aunt Nancy," she said at last. "I don't believe
it is love.
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