"When, Kitty?" says she again.
"When I was coming back from the shop," I said, wishing mother wouldn't put so many questions.
"Ah—was it Rupert who kept you so long?" says mother, looking straight at me, and I felt myself get scarlet.
"I saw Rupert—then," I said. "And—I met Mr. Russell too—and he told me he was going—and said—good-bye."
It was hard to get that word out; but I felt sure mother had an idea of Mr. Russell, and I knew if I didn't tell she'd ask.
"Ah!" says she again.
"Rupert needn't have been so cross and jealous," I went on.
"Jealous, was he?"
"He can't bear me to speak to—anybody," I whispered, wishing I hadn't let that word slip.
"He was jealous of Mr. Russell, you mean?" said mother.