Charlie's eyes twinkled.
"We accept with thanks, don't we, Rawlings? I'm like a young lady now; I have my chaperon!"
Jean took them both back to her lodgings, where they had a merry meal. Rawlings overflowed with good advice and warning, Charlie with his usual lighthearted fun.
When they left, Rawlings wrung Jean's hand.
"You'd best come back, Miss Jean, before 'tis too late, for I've a fancy the old master be not with us for much longer."
"We will hope," said Charlie hastily, "that he'll live a long time yet, Rawlings. But even after his departure, Miss Jean might care to come back. Perhaps she would prefer the new master?"
There was a look in his eye underlying this audacious speech that made Jean blush. Then she threw up her head with a little of her old spirit.
"I left it, Rawlings, because I wished to. I never intend under any circumstances to return!"
"Ah," sighed Rawlings, with a shake of his head, "wilful maids be like weeds, ye can't keep 'em down nohow!"