Jack moved away, with a vexed and unhappy look. There was half-an-hour of silence, almost unbroken, except by an occasional low moan from Maimie. She checked herself at once when betrayed into it; but each time I heard a little unconscious echo from Jack, and he wore a face of utter misery. Cherry looked often from one to another of us, seemingly afraid to speak.
On Robert’s entrance a change came about. Generally he was back on Saturday to early dinner, but a City engagement had kept him this day till between four and five o’clock. Cherry ran out to meet him in the passage, and there were evidently a few words of explanation. When he appeared, a look of relief crossed Maimie’s face.
“Why, my poor little woman!” he said tenderly. “What is the reason of this?”
“I dare say it will go off soon,” murmured Maimie. “I shouldn’t mind so much, only it gives trouble.”
“Nobody minds the trouble, my dear,” Robert said, and Jack echoed the words with smothered eagerness, “But, Maimie, you must go upstairs.”
So Cherry must have told him my wish.
She fixed her eyes on his face. “Do you want me to go, Uncle?”
“Yes,” he said.
Maimie was on her feet before he could guess what she meant to do; and then she staggered and fell against him, with a little cry.
“Gently, my dear,—that was too quick,” Robert said. “You must move slowly, and let me help you.”