Mrs. Fairford called after him: "Come and have your tea first."
"No, no—tea afterward, thanks. Are they all upstairs with my grandfather? I must make my peace with Undine—" His sister put her arm through his, and drew him back to the fire.
"Undine didn't come."
"Didn't come? Who brought the boy, then?"
"He didn't come either. That's why the cake's not cut."
Ralph frowned. "What's the mystery? Is he ill, or what's happened?"
"Nothing's happened—Paul's all right. Apparently Undine forgot. She never went home for him, and the nurse waited till it was too late to come."
She saw his eyes darken; but he merely gave a slight laugh and drew out his cigarette case. "Poor little Paul—poor chap!" He moved toward the fire. "Yes, please—some tea."
He dropped back into his chair with a look of weariness, as if some strong stimulant had suddenly ceased to take effect on him; but before the tea-table was brought back he had glanced at his watch and was on his feet again.
"But this won't do. I must rush home and see the poor chap before dinner. And my mother—and my grandfather? I want to say a word to them—I must make Paul's excuses!"