“Yes, of course, but first come in and rest,” answered May, uneasily, for his manner was so strange.
John Temple went down the steps to speak to the driver, and May stood at the open door watching him. Then he reascended the steps, and she shut the door behind him and put her arm through his, and together they entered the dining-room where Miss Webster and Miss Eliza were standing, full of expectation and excitement.
“John is not very well, Miss Webster,” said May, a little tremulously; “I think he wants nursing and being taken care of.”
“Oh! I’m so sorry,” said the two kind ladies, almost with one breath.
“It is nothing,” answered John, nervously, as he shook hands with them; “I am tired, that is all.”
“You must have some wine or some tea. You must stay to dinner, of course?” the next moment suggested hospitable Miss Webster.
“Thanks, I will take a glass of wine,” answered John, “but I will not stay to dinner; I am going to take May out to dine with me.”
Both the sisters protested against this, but John Temple was firm, and after he had taken his wine he looked at May, and asked her to get ready to go out with him. May rose at once to obey his wish, but she still felt uneasy. John was not like himself; his smile was strained, his very voice was different.
“Something is worrying him dreadfully, I am sure,” she told herself as she hurried on her hat and cape, and when she turned to the sitting-room and told John she was ready, to her surprise John put out his hand to take leave of Miss Webster.
“But you’ll bring May back; we will see you, then?” said Miss Webster, also surprised.