"Then the people who send them should be ashamed! But what about the other half of their time that they spend from home?"
"Oh, I don't know: that was a mere figure of speech," says Mr. Rodney, who is afraid to say such absences are caused by an innate love of freedom and a vile desire for liberty at any cost, and has nothing else handy. "Now don't stay moping up here when I go, but run downstairs and find the girls and make yourself happy with them."
"Happy?" reproachfully. "I shan't know a happy moment until I see you again!"
"Nor I, till I see you," says Geoffrey, earnestly, actually believing what he says himself.
"I shall do nothing but look at the clock and listen for the sound of the horse's feet."
"Mona, you musn't do that. Now, I shall be really annoyed if you insist on sitting up for me and so lose a good night's rest. Now, don't, darling. It will only take it out of you, and make you pale and languid next day."
"But I shall be more content so; and even if I went to bed I could not sleep. Besides, I shall not be companionless when the small hours begin to creep upon me."
"Eh?" says Geoffrey.
"No; I shall have him with me: but, hush! It is quite a secret," placing her finger on her lips.
"'Him'?—whom?"—demands her husband, with pardonable vivacity.