"Mamma and Dick will be very pleased," she said, in as matter-of-fact a tone as she could.
"I wired to Mrs. Brownie, asking her if she could put me up—old Brownie lets some rooms, he told me——"
Her face fell for a moment.
"You are not coming to us—to The Cottage?" she said cheerily.
"No; I couldn't trespass upon Mrs. Lorton's hospitality," he replied.
"I hope you will be comfortable——" She hesitated. "Mrs. Brownie's cottage is very small and——"
"Oh, I'm used to roughing it," he cut in; "and perhaps, when I find it too small, you will let me come up and see you——"
"In our palatial mansion—for a change."
She was bright again, and her eyes were sparkling. After all, though he would not be under the same roof, he would be near—would be in Shorne Mills.
"I think I'll go down to Mrs. Brownie's and see if it is all right, and then come up for a cup of tea, if I may," he said, as they neared The Cottage.