“I wish you’d pour out the tea, and not chatter so,” he cried, impatiently. “What with your tongue and hers, there isn’t a bit of peace to be had in the place.”
Eve looked pained, but the look passed off, and without attending to her own wants, she took some bread and butter across to where Richard sat scowling at the wall.
“Won’t you have something to eat, Dick dear?” she said, affectionately.
“NO!”
There are a good many ways of saying “no.” This was one of the most decisive, and was uttered so sharply that Eve forbore to press that which she had brought upon her cousin, and carried it to her aunt.
The rest of the time before retiring was passed in about as agreeable a way, till, at a nod from Mrs Glaire, Eve said, “Good night,” being affectionately embraced by her aunt, and then turning to Dick, she bent over him.
“Good night, dear Dick,” she whispered, holding her cheek to be kissed, as she rested her hands upon his shoulders.
“There, good night. For goodness’ sake don’t paw one about so.”
Eve remained motionless, with the tears gathering in her eyes, for a few moments, before bending down and kissing the young man’s forehead.
“Good night, dear darling Dick,” she whispered. “I’m very sorry about all your troubles; but don’t speak like that, it—it hurts me.”