"Poets are allowed to be pessimistic," rejoined Tora. "But you're wrong, Mr. Angell. Ideal things do happen."
"To Sir Harry Fulmer, for instance," put in Philip.
"Nonsense, Mr. Hume! I wasn't thinking of that. Don't you agree with me, Nellie?"
"Nellie has made an ideal thing happen," said Philip, and Nellie blushed.
"Thanks, Phil," said Dale. "It's complimentary to describe the prolongation of my poor existence in that way."
"The deed is good, however unworthy the object, Dale."
Dale took Nellie's hand and patted it gently.
"Good child," he said, and Nellie flushed again with an almost strange intensity of embarrassment. Tora rose abruptly, and, in spite of opposition, insisted on departure. Dale escorted her to her carriage.
"I have asked Nellie to come and stay with me," said she, "as soon as she is well enough to move."
"She will like that. I hope she is going?"