Lydia interrupted with firmness.
'That's no excuse at all—not a bit! If he really felt the disappointment so much he ought to have borne it like a man. Other people have as much to bear. I never thought he was a man of that kind, never! We won't say anything more about him.'
Their conversation so lightened the way that they reached Westminster Bridge, and returned by the road which runs along the rear of the hospital.
'You won't come in, Lyddy?' said the old man, when they were near the shop again.
'Not to-day, grandad. I'm going to tea with Mrs. Grail and Gilbert, because Thyrza's away.'
He acquiesced, trying to conceal the sadness he felt. Lydia kissed his cheek, and left him.
All through tea in the Grails' parlour the talk was of Thyrza. How was she passing her time? Was it as fine at Eastbourne as here in London? What sort of a lady was Mrs. Ormonde? And when the three drew chairs about the fire, Gilbert had something of moment to communicate, something upon which he had resolved since Thyrza's departure.
'Lyddy,' he began, 'mother and I think Thyrza had better not go to work again. As she is going to miss to-morrow morning, it'll be a good opportunity for making the change. Isn't it better?'
Lydia did not reply at once. Such a decided step as this reminded her how near the day was when, though they would still be near to each other, Thyrza and she must in a sense part. The thought was always a heavy one; she did not willingly entertain it.
'Do you think,' she asked at length, 'that Thyrza will feel she ought to stay at home?'