“They are, sir. Good gracious!”
He realised that he had been indiscreet.
“I—I sat in a draught,” he hastened to explain. “Did you have a nice time, Phoebe?”
The child was sleepy. “No,” she said, almost sullenly. His heart gave a bound. “Mamma wouldn’t let me eat anything. She said I’d get fat.”
“You had quite enough to eat, Phoebe,” said Annie.
“I didn’t,” said Phoebe.
“Never mind,” said her father, “I’ll take you to Sherry’s some day.”
“When, daddy?” she cried, wide awake at once. “I like to go to places with you.”
He faltered. “Some day after mamma has gone off on the road. We’ll be terribly gay, while she’s away, see if we ain’t.”
Annie picked up the paper and handed it to him.