"Yes, this is the swing of the pendulum, I suppose. But, by Jove, if ever it swings back again, I'll take jolly good care it sticks there until I shuffle off, anyhow."
And Miriam sighed, knowing only too well how true that was.
"Well, come along, Dicky, we must be off; the Major'll be waiting, and he hates that. I've managed a good many things with the Major, but I've never managed to imbue him with a sense of patience."
The boy rose rather reluctantly. He would so much rather have stayed with Miriam. He had not had her to himself at all. Gerald put on his hat and coat.
"You must let me come some of the way with you," he said.
"Oh, no, Gerald, you mustn't leave Miriam—I'm sure she——"
"Oh, please don't think about me. It's so dull for Gerald. I'm only too glad for him to enjoy himself when he can."
There was a rather embarrassing silence for a few minutes. Then Hilda imprinted upon Miriam's cheek the kiss of Judas, and they left.
"Jove, she's about right," said Arkel, when they were out of earshot. "I should think it is dull. I never realised before, Hilda, how much London was the rich man's paradise and the poor man's Sheol."
"Oh, come, Gerald, it's not so bad as all that, surely. You're out of sorts to-day."