The stage-door keeper tried to interpose, but before he could explain himself the boy had rushed away.
'All letters should be given to me,' he growled as he turned away to argue with Miss Thomas, who had just arrived. In a few minutes the call-boy came back.
'Will you please step this way,' he said to Kate.
'No, you shan't,' cried the hall-keeper; 'if you try any nonsense with me I shall send round for a policeman.'
Kate started back frightened, thinking these words were addressed to her, but a glance showed her that she was mistaken.
'Oh! how dare you talk to me like that? You're an unsophisticated beast!' cried Miss Thomas.
'Pass under my arm, ma'am,' said the hall-keeper; 'I don't want this one to get through.' And amid a storm of violent words and the strains of distant music Kate went up a narrow staircase that creaked under the weight of a group of girls in strange dresses. When she got past them she saw Dick at the door of his room waiting for her. The table was covered with letters, the walls with bills announcing, 'a great success.'
He took her hand and placed her in a chair, and at first it seemed doubtful who would break an awkward and irritating silence. At last Dick said:
'I'm sorry to hear, Kate, that you've been ill; you're looking well now.'
'Yes, I'm better now,' she replied drearily; 'but perhaps if I'd died it would have been as well, for you can never love me again.'