"No, he's away in London, Mr. Hume."
"In London? What for?"
"I don't know."
"May I come in for a moment?" asked Philip, who had been looking at her closely.
"If you like," she answered in some surprise. "I'm afraid there's no fire."
Philip had followed her in and seen the grate in the sitting room with no fire lighted.
"No fire?" he exclaimed.
"There is one in my room where baby is," she explained.
"There ought to be one here too," said he. "You're looking ill."
"Oh, I'm not ill, Mr. Hume—I'm not indeed."