'Of course you would make a splendid housekeeper,' he laughed. 'You are already, but—'
She didn't wish to make him uncomfortable. Evidently he was thinking what she knew herself. But she was so reluctant to go.
'Don't you think I could remain here for a little while?' she said modestly. 'To do the housekeeping and be useful? You see, I've nowhere to go really.'
'But, my dear girl, excuse me, don't you see you're rather too—young.
It would be selfish of me to let you.'
He wished to say that it would be compromising, but a certain consciousness prevented his saying it. He felt he would be ridiculous if he put it into words.
'Just as you like. How soon do you think I ought to go?'
Though she tried not to show it, there was a look almost of despair in her face. Her eyes looked startled, as if trying not to shed tears.
He was very sorry for her, but tried to hide it by a cool and impatient manner.
'Well, shall we say in about a fortnight?'
'Certainly.' She looked down.