‘If there is anything else he wants very much, how could he let me know?’ mused Gillian. ‘Oh, I see! What time are you at the works?’
‘Alex is there at seven; I don’t go till nine.’
‘I am to be at the station at 8.40. Could you or Maura meet me there and tell me?’
To this Kalliope agreed, for she said she could be sure of getting to her post in time afterwards, and she seemed quite overjoyed. No one could look at her without perceiving that Alexis was the prime thought of her heart, and Gillian delighted her by repeating Aunt Adeline’s admiration of his profile, and the general opinion of his singing.
‘I am so sorry you have had to give it up,’ she added.
‘It can’t be helped,’ Kalliope said; ‘and I really have no time.’
‘But that’s not all,’ said Gillian, beginning to blush herself.
‘Oh! I hope there’s no gossip or nonsense about that,’ cried Kalliope, her cheeks flaming.
‘Only—’
‘Not Maura? Naughty little girl, I did not think she knew anything. Not that there is anything to tell,’ said Kalliope, much distressed; ‘but it is dreadful that there should be such talk.’