No sooner did they see Rupert Haverford than Betty and Baby ran to him and flung themselves upon him. They made quite a commotion in the streets.
Miss Graniger stood in the background, smiling faintly, yet conscious of a little awkwardness.
Mr. Haverford was so occupied with the children that he could not for the moment address a single word to her.
When his right hand was free, however, he lifted his hat and gave her a smile; then he stretched out his hand, and Caroline put hers into it.
"Do you wish to see Mrs. Lancing?" she asked. "She is at home, but not very well."
"But she will see you," Betty chimed in. "Do go and see her. Poor mummy! she is so white, and her eyes look red, just like mine do when I have been crying."
"Perhaps I had better not go in," Mr. Haverford said.
But the children were urging him towards the door. Betty gave him all sorts of injunctions.
"Don't make too much noise," she said. "You mustn't jump about, or scream on the stairs. Baby always screams when mummy's got a bad head."
Caroline had to come to the rescue here; behind a good firm barrier Baby felt that she might hurl recrimination on her sister with impunity. It took some time to pacify her.