The maid reëntered the room.
"François is not in his room, m'm."
Kenneth gave vent to an exclamation of impatience. Turning to his wife, he asked:
"Where is he? Did you send him anywhere?"
Helen shook her head. Quickly she said:
"He's never around except when he's not wanted."
It was so seldom that his wife displayed irritation at any one that Kenneth looked up in surprise.
"He's shopping, too, I suppose. You know there's little time left and he has things to get ready the same as I have."
Helen made a gesture of disapproval. Quickly she said:
"I wish you were going with someone else, with anyone but that man. I never liked him."