“They are both engaged—they are out.”
“Send a girl, then.”
“At night like this? Who would go?”
“Cissy.”
“I shall not ask her. Isn’t he mean, Cyril? Men are mean.”
“I will come back,” said I. “There is nothing at home to do. Mother is reading, and Lettie is stitching. The weather disagrees with her, as it does with Leslie.”
“But it is not fair——” she said, looking at me softly. Then she put away the great book and climbed down.
“Won’t you go, Leslie?” she said, laying her hand on his shoulder.
“Women!” he said, rising as if reluctantly. “There’s no end to their wants and their caprices.”
“I thought he would go,” said she warmly. She ran to fetch his overcoat. He put one arm slowly in the sleeve, and then the other, but he would not lift the coat on to his shoulders.