“I hope she will enjoy herself,” said Mr. Bullivant, with careful civility.
“But of course she won’t enjoy it very much if she has to go alone. As you have no particular engagement, Mr. Bullivant, wouldn’t it be kind to—?”
The suggestion was incomplete, but intelligible.
“I couldn’t ask Miss Eade to let me accompany her,” said the young man gravely.
“Oh, I think you could. She would like it.”
Monica looked rather frightened at her boldness, and quickly added—
“Now I must say good-bye. There comes the bus.”
Bullivant turned desperately in that direction. He saw there was as yet no inside passenger.
“Do allow me to go a short way with you?” burst from his lips. “I positively don’t know how I shall spend the morning.”
Monica had signalled to the driver, and was hurrying forward. Bullivant followed, reckless of consequences. In a minute both were seated within.