"You're not going!" cried Gracie, with keen disappointment.
"Yes, I am. I can't stop. It's later than I thought. See you to-morrow!" said Piers.
He held Avery's hand again in his, and for one fleeting second his eyes looked into hers. Then lightly he pressed her fingers and passed on without further words.
On the first landing he encountered Mrs. Lorimer. She smiled upon him kindly. "Oh, Piers, is it you?" she said. "Have you been having tea in the schoolroom?"
He admitted that he had.
"And must you really go?" she said. "I'm sorry for that. Come again, won't you?"
Her tone was full of gentle friendliness, and Piers was touched. "It's awfully good of you to ask me," he said.
"I like to see you here," she answered simply. "And I am so grateful to you for your kindness to my little Jeanie."
"Oh, please don't!" said Piers. "I assure you it's quite the other way round. I shall certainly come again since you are good enough to ask me."
He smiled with boyish gallantry into the wistful, faded face, carried her fingers lightly to his lips, and passed on.