“Good-afternoon, my dear Mrs. Mearely.”
Almost simultaneously he noticed the green-gray shot parasol and the lilac-bud silk gown and was distinctly pleased by the omen. It was, indeed, as if she had expected him.
CHAPTER XI
Courtesy commanded Rosamond to open the gate and invite the Judge in. She disobeyed. She leaned over the bar, so that he himself could not effect entrance, and said sweetly:
“How fortunate that you arrived at this moment and not later. For I can at least exchange a word of greeting with you ere I continue on my way.”
He pondered this unforeseen contingency. That she might not be at home to receive him on the day set had never occurred to him.
“You are going out?”
“I am obliged to go. It is an unescapable duty that I must perform.”
“Surely you are not going any distance on foot?”