‘It is only temperament,’ said Mr. Kendal. ‘Will you speak to her?’
‘Yes, whenever she comes in.’
‘I suspect she has gone out on purpose. Could you not go to find her at the school, or wherever she is likely to be?’
‘I don’t know where to find her. I cannot give up the children’s lessons. Nothing hurts Maurice so much as irregularity.’
He made no answer, but his look of disappointment excited her to observe to herself that she supposed he expected her to run all over the town without ordering dinner first, and she wondered how he would like that!
Presently she heard him go out at the front door, and felt some contrition.
She had not the heart to seek Sophy to report progress, and did not see her till about eleven o’clock, when she came in hastily with her bonnet on, asking, ‘Well, mamma?’
‘Where have you been, Sophy?’
‘To school,’ she said. ‘Has anything happened?’
‘We have had it out, and I am to speak to her when she comes in,’ said Albinia, glad as perhaps was Sophy of the enigmatical form to which Maurice’s presence restrained the communication.