"When will you return, Robert?" asked his mother.
"In a few days. You had better give liberally to the church collection to-morrow—paper or gold—silver from you will be remarked on." He opened the door to these words, and, turning a moment, said "good-bye" with a glance which included every one in the room.
Silence followed his exit. Mrs. Campbell cut her veal chop into minute strips, which she did not intend to eat; Isabel crumbled her bread on her plate, lifted her scornful eyes a moment, and then began to fold her napkin; Christina took the opportunity to help herself to another tartlet. It was an uncomfortable pause, not to be relieved until Mrs. Campbell chose to speak or rise. She continued the purposeless cutting of her food, until Isabel's patience was worn out, and she asked: "Shall I ring the bell, mother?"
"No, I have not finished my lunch; you can safely bide my time. Christina, pass me a tart."
"Take two, mother. McNab makes them smaller every day. There is only a mouthful in two of them."
Mrs. Campbell took no notice of the criticism.
"Isabel," she said, "what do you think of Robert's behavior?"
"Do you mean the sudden change in his manner?"
"Yes."
"He had his own 'because' for it. I do not rightly comprehend what it could be, unless he suspected from your remark that you had seen the Bible, and were trying to lure him on to talk of Theodora."