Madison , to whom she was talking when Spencer entered , does not know to this day what she had started to say to him , for she never finished her sentence . `` I wonder if it is the Loon Lake affair again ? '' she thought nervously . Mrs. Hill came up at this point and whisked Madison off for a waltz . Spencer , seeing his chance , came straight across the room to her . Sergeant Robinson , who was watching them as usual , is willing to make affidavit that Miss Thayer changed colour . After his greeting Spencer said nothing . He sat beside her , and they watched Mrs. Hill and Madison dancing . Violet wondered why she did not feel bored . When she saw Madison coming back to her she was conscious of an unreasonable anger with him . She got up abruptly . `` Let us go out on the verandah , '' she said imperiously . `` It is absolutely stifling in here . '' They went out . It was very cool and dusky . The lights of the town twinkled out below them , and the prairie bluffs behind them were dark and sibilant . `` I am going to drive over to Loon Lake tomorrow afternoon to look into affairs there , '' said Spencer . `` Will you go with me ? '' Violet reflected a moment . `` You did n't ask me as if you really wanted me to go , '' she said .
Spencer put his hand over the white fingers that rested XXXXX the railing .
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