"But what about the Stone House? It will want you awfully." Toney clasped her hands and looked really distressed.
"I think you will find another—many other helpers."
Toney was called for, but she felt a little lump in her chest; then with a great effort she said to herself, "The old pussy thinks Mr. Waycott isn't rich enough for Maud, or that he must be tested like poor Frank Weston! If it's only money, perhaps I could square it—but oh, I don't think Aldersfield would be anything without him!"
Now the rest of the acts of the lovers can be easily imagined this evening, and how, when the last guests were gone, they retired to the small drawing-room, and Toney, as she passed the door with Mrs. Faber, heard some wondrous soft music coming out of it.
"Listen, Chum, he's talking to her, I wish I was a musician; words are poor things for telling people you love them tremendously."
"I wish it were your romance, dear Toney!"
"That's a vain wish, I'm going to be a real match-making old maid. Do you know, Chum, Mr. Waycott is in love with Maud, and something has gone wrong, I can tell by his face, he's bothered about it, I wish I could make it smooth, for he and Uncle Evas are, and always have been, my two props, and I should feel halt and blind without them. But he says he's going to travel. Maud will sort of go to nothing like Jeanie if he does; it's Mrs. Hamilton's fault—I'm sure. She is a pussy." Mrs. Faber laughed.
"As to Mr. Waycott, it does seem strange. Are you sure, Toney?"
"Oh, yes, quite sure. He so often comes and meets her on her way home from the Haven and—— But things must have gone very wrong with him; he looks so glum. Never mind, I'll have a good think, and see if I can't make things come right. There is Maud. Doesn't she look like a china shepherdess, and won't he have a sweet wife at Waycott Hall? She'll fit in exactly when she leaves her mother. I never could cotton to her. Isn't it funny, Chum, Miss Grossman won't be bullied, and Aunt Dove says she has no sympathy."
Mrs. Faber was puzzled, so she waylaid Maud on her way to bed, for Toney had declared she was too sleepy to wait another minute, and only Sir Evas and Mr. Russell were left to look after the genius. Maud gathered up her rose creation and waited for Mrs. Faber.