“I could not come sooner: the superintendent would—— Where is she?” He looked round the dining-room, and then almost fiercely at his mother, who was quietly re-arranging the disturbed furniture, and did not instantly reply. “Where is Miss Hale?” asked he again.
“Gone home,” said she, rather shortly.
“Gone home!”
“Yes. She was a great deal better. Indeed, I don’t believe it was so very much of a hurt; only some people faint at the least thing.”
“I am sorry she has gone home,” said he, walking uneasily about. “She could not have been fit for it.”
“She said she was; and Mr. Lowe said she was. I went for him myself.”
“Thank you, mother.” He stopped, and partly held out his hand to give her a grateful shake. But she did not notice the movement.
“What have you done with your Irish people?”
“Sent to the Dragon, for a good meal for them, poor wretches. And then, luckily, I caught Father Grady, and I’ve asked him in to speak to them, and dissuade them from going off in a body. How did Miss Hale go home? I’m sure she could not walk.”
“She had a cab. Everything was done properly, even to the paying. Let us talk of something else. She has caused disturbance enough.”