She had fallen into the habit of calling Isabel by her Christian name from hearing Scott use it. It had begun almost in delirium, and now it came so naturally that she never dreamed of reverting to the more formal mode of address.
Scott smiled in his quiet fashion, and turned to join his brother. "I will with pleasure," he said.
Eustace threw a mocking glance backwards. "It seems that philosophers rush in where mere ordinary males fear to tread," he observed. "Stumpy, allow me to congratulate you on your privileges!"
"Thanks, old chap!" Scott made answer in his tired voice. "But there is no occasion for the ordinary male to envy me my compensations."
"What did he mean by that?" said Dinah, as the door closed.
Isabel moved to her side and sat down on the edge of the couch. "Scott is very lonely, little one," she said.
"Is he?" said Dinah, wonderingly. "But—surely he must have lots of friends. He's such a dear."
Isabel smiled at her rather sadly. "Yes, everyone who knows him thinks that."
"Everyone must love him," protested Dinah. "Who could help it?"
"I wonder," said Isabel slowly, "if he will ever meet anyone who will love him best of all."