"Oh, how nice! I was so afraid you wouldn't come," and she flung herself into his arms.
"I was afraid too that I could not manage it, but having told you to expect me, I thought I must spare a couple of hours."
"Is mother in?" asked Josie, clinging to him, and leading him into the dining-room. "She meant to be back early from her walk."
"No, I hear she was delayed in going out by a visitor, so she has not returned yet. You and I must be content with each other's company for a while."
"And now tell me all sorts of things, and ask me a hundred questions," said Josie, establishing herself on the sofa arm, with her hand on his shoulder. "Do!"
But Leveson was provokingly absent. He smiled and talked, but his questions were few, and his answers wide of the mark.
"What are you thinking about?" she said at length.
"Not of what you were saying, I am afraid," said Leveson, rousing himself. "I beg your pardon, Josie."
"But what is it?" asked Josie.
"Never mind now. I am afraid your tongue runs a little too fast, my small woman, for you to be trusted with secrets."