“What did it strike, girls?” asked he, quickly.
“Nine, papa,” replied Kate, in a low voice.
“At what hour was he to come for the answer?”
“At ten,” said she, still lower.
“Well, you 'd better write it at once,” said he, with a peevishness very different from his ordinary manner. “They've remained here already four days isn't it four days she says? to give us time to make up our minds; we cannot detain them any longer.”
“Lady Hester has shown every consideration for our difficulty,” said Kate. “We cannot be too grateful for her kindness.”
“Tell her so,” said he, bitterly. “I suppose women know when to believe each other.”
“And what reply am I to make, sir?” said she, calmly, as having put aside her work, she took her place at the writing-table.
“Faith, I don't care,” said he, doggedly. “Nor is it much matter what opinion I give. I am nobody now; I have no right to decide upon anything.”
“The right and duty are both yours, papa.”