"Eating better?" he asked. "I’ve brought you some oysters—something rather special. Are you coming down?"
"Not to-night, Eddie, thank you; but I’ll enjoy the oysters. Is your mother home yet?"
"No. I shan’t wait for her. I told Annie an early dinner. Half-past six sharp, miss! I’ve brought home a lot of work to do."
He went out again, with a curt nod at Angelica.
"You’d better get ready," said Polly. "He’s not very patient. He doesn’t like to be kept waiting."
"I am ready," said Angelica. "I haven’t any better clothes to put on."
She had risen, and was standing near the door. She knew that Polly wished her to go, but still she lingered, miserable but resolute.
"Did I do all right to-day?" she blurted out.
Polly opened her eyes.
"Why, certainly, my dear," she said. "Would you mind putting out all the lights but one?"