"It's rather good of you to come, I must say," he observed. "I thought I'd be taboo for a long while...."
Sophy held out the telegram.
"It's from Charlotte," she said. "I shall have to go to Virginia to-morrow."
He looked startled—glanced through the telegram. "What's up? What is it?" he then asked. "It strikes me as rather high-handed to send you a wire like this—without a word of explanation."
"I asked her to send it," said Sophy.
"You asked her...."
"Yes—so that my going suddenly wouldn't be commented on."
He remained dumfounded, staring at her. Sophy returned his gaze steadily and very gravely.
"Morris," she said, "has it really not occurred to you that I wouldn't remain longer in this house than I could help?"
His stare grew quite bewildered, a little frightened.