'Well, I wanted to see you,' was her answer.
'What about?'
'I don't think I shall be able to stay with the Mumfords. They're very nice people, but they're not exactly my sort, and we don't get on very well. Where had I better go?'
'Go? Why home, of course. The best place for you.'
Cobb was prepared for a hot retort, but it did not come. After a moment's reflection, Louise said quietly:
'I can't go home. I've quarrelled with them too badly. You haven't seen mother lately? Then I must tell you how things are.'
She did so, with no concealment save of the correspondence with Mr. Bowling, and the not unimportant statements concerning him which she had made to Mrs. Mumford. In talking with Cobb, Louise seemed to drop a degree or so in social status; her language was much less careful than when she conversed with the Mumfords, and even her voice struck a note of less refinement. Decidedly she was more herself, if that could be said of one who very rarely made conscious disguise of her characteristics.
'Better stay where you are, then, for the present,' said Cobb, when he had listened attentively. 'I dare say you can get along well enough with the people, if you try.'
'That's all very well; but what about paying them? I shall owe three guineas for every week I stop.'
'It's a great deal, and they ought to feed you very well for it,' replied the other, smiling rather sourly.