"Why, we should have talked all the more about it if I'd been there."
His companion was still silent, her eyes turned down towards the table. Harry looked at her with perplexity, and when he next spoke, there was a curious appealing note in his voice.
"Surely it doesn't make any difference?" he asked. "What difference can it make?"
No answer came. Mrs. Cormack laid down the spoon and sat back in her chair.
"You mean there'll be no one to make a change for her—to distract her thoughts?"
Mrs. Cormack flung her hands out with an air of impatience.
"Oh, I meant nothing," said she petulantly.
The clock seemed to tick very loud in the silence that followed her words.
"I wish I could go," said Harry at last, in a low tone.
"Oh, I wish you could, Mr. Dennison;" and as she spoke she raised her eyes, and, for the first time, looked full in his face.