Adela had left the table and taken an arm-chair near the fire. Her back was to the door and her face towards Tom; she held a fire-screen between her and him, letting the blaze burn her face. But Tom, being unobservant, paid no attention to the position of the fire-screen. With a look of pain on his face, he took up his hat and rose to his feet. The meeting had been very different from what he had hoped.
"When do you go?" she asked brusquely.
"To-night. I'm just going back to my rooms for a bag, and then I shall go. I'm sorry you should—I'm sorry you don't think I'm doing right."
"It doesn't matter two straws what I think," said Adela behind the screen.
"Aye, but it does to me," said Tom.
She made no answer, and he stood for a moment, looking uneasily at the intruding fire-screen.
"Well, good-bye," he said.
"Good-bye."
"I shall see you soon, I hope."
"If Maggie will let you come."