"Oh! They were all right, weren't they? We did have a good time. It's a pity that kind of thing can't last. But you see if you felt equal to it you could have some good times now of a different sort. Dillingham wants us to go on a yachting trip."
"When?" Margaret asked it rather listlessly.
"To-morrow. It's going to be an awfully jolly party. They are going for an all-day's trip—luncheon on the yacht and all that. How do you feel about it?"
"Victor, I could not possibly go. I am not well enough."
He bit his lip and looked annoyed.
"But I should not want to interfere with your going," she said, quickly, noticing the look. "There is no reason why it should."
"Oh, no, I'll stay—of course," he replied. "I couldn't go off for a good time and leave you here sick. It wouldn't be right. But it is unfortunate, as I was saying. You know I am specially fond of yachting, and—"
"And I want you to go. I really would much rather you would."
He made some faint opposition, which only stimulated her determination that he should take the trip. At last he said, "Well—I don't know—perhaps I will after all, just to please Dillingham. He was anxious that I should go to even up the party." And Margaret thought quickly, "Then they did not even expect me to go."
"You are sure you won't be lonely without anybody to talk to?"