'Oh no, not at all. My old legs are as good as your young ones. Kate, dear, what is the matter? Are you all right?' she said, seeing how cross her daughter-in-law was looking.
'Oh yes, I'm all right, but you do bother one so.'
This very injudicious phrase led to a demonstration of affection on the part of Mrs. Ede, and whatever were the chances of getting rid of her before, they were now reduced to nothing. The strain on her nerves was at height during the first half of the walk, for during that time she knew that Mr. Lennox was expecting her; afterwards, while bargaining with the fruiterer in St. John's Road, she fell into despondency. Nothing seemed to matter now; she did not care what might befall her, and in silence she accompanied her mother-in-law home.
'Now, mother, you must leave me; I've some work to finish.'
'I'm sorry, Kate, if——'
'Mother, I've some work to finish; good-night.'
And she sat in the workroom waiting for Mr. Lennox. At last his heavy step was heard on the stairs; then, laying aside the shirt she was making, she stole out to meet him. He saw her as he scraped a match on the wall; dropping it, he put out his hands towards her.
'Is that you, dear?' he said. 'Why didn't you come to the theatre? We had a magnificent house.'
'I couldn't; I met my mother-in-law.'
The red embers of the match that had fallen on the floor now went out, and the indication of their faces was swept away in the darkness.