LOOKING OUT.
HALF-PAST ten o’clock struck, and our absent ones at last came home.
Jack looked uneasy and out of spirits. I could see that at a glance. Cress was in high glee, laughing and talking with Maimie. Owen always took things quietly, and I noticed no particular change in his face. Maimie herself had a brilliant colour, and seemed excited.
“Mother, I’m awfully sorry we are so late,” Jack said, when they first entered. “May we have some supper?”
“Have you had nothing to eat?” I asked.
“Only some buns at five o’clock. We meant to be back earlier. I dare say Cherry will get out a loaf of bread for us. It’s too late for tea, of course.”
“Yes, it is,” I said, when Cherry looked at me.
Nobody offered any further explanation. I went down with them into the basement-room, leaving my husband still asleep. Bread and butter were there vigorously attacked by the three boys, Maimie taking little, as was her wont. She had evidently enjoyed herself thoroughly, and kept breaking out into little notes of admiration; while Jack made few remarks, but gave me some anxious glances furtively.
I gathered that they had taken Maimie to the Abbey, and had shown her a considerable part of Westminster. Then Maimie had treated them all to a trip on the river as far as Blackfriars, and a view of St. Paul’s had followed. Naturally they were late, after crowding so much into one afternoon. But why should they have attempted it all?
Robert made no complaint, and I too resolved to keep silence that evening. So when the boys had eaten enough, and we had had family prayers, all went to bed.