“Rather!” he answered, gallantly, and might have added, “Too cozy!”
He was like the innocent young heroine in a drama; he had a dim perception of something evil, he felt that he ought not to be there alone with Minnie.
The tea seemed to do her good, for she revived, and became quite animated, talked to him about Frances, their childhood, their schooldays, anything and everything. The friendly, disarming air, the classic second step of the seducer! He was amused by her chatter, but he didn’t lose his feeling of uneasiness. Because, in spite of her immeasurably respectable appearance——
The clock struck seven and he felt obliged to protest.
“I say!” he cried, in pretended surprise, “seven o’clock! Shan’t we go out and—take a walk—have a bit of supper somewhere?”
“Oh, no,” said Minnie, “I’ll have to be going.”
She rose and picked up her hat. But did not put it on; at last put it down again and opened her worn little pocketbook.
“Here is the money, Mr. Naylor,” she said, and held out a bill to him.
Then, as he took it, suddenly she flung herself into the chair and buried her face in her hands.
“Oh!” she sobbed, “Oh! It’s too hard!”