“Busy?” he said rapidly munching. “I say I’ve had that man Buck this afternoon.”
“Oh yes” said Mr. Hancock brushing a crumb from his knee.
“You know—that case I told you about.”
“Oh yes?” said Mr. Hancock with a clear glance and a slight tightening of the face.
Miriam made for the door. Mr. Hancock was not encouraging the topic. Mr. Leyton’s cup came down with a clatter. “I’m fearfully rushed” he said. “I must be off.” He caught Miriam up in the hall. “I say tea must have been fearfully late. I’ve got to get down to headquarters by five sharp.”
“You go on first” said Miriam standing aside.
Mr. Leyton fled up through the house three steps at a time.
15
When she came down again intent on her second cup of tea in the empty brown den a light had been switched on, driving the dark afternoon away. The crayon drawings behind the piano shone out on the walls of the dark square space under the gallery as she hesitated in the doorway. There was someone in the dim brightness of the room. She turned noiselessly towards her table.
“Come and have some more tea Miss Hens’n.”