“Oh—ah—won’t you come out?”
“Come in—do,” said Mrs. Tarleton. She had a very sweet voice and a heavenly smile. The boy walked forward rapidly, and took her hand, regarding her with curious intensity. Mrs. Tarleton patted his hand.
“You miss the women of your family, do you not?” she said. “I thought so. You must come and see us often. You will be always welcome.”
His face was brilliant. He stammered out that he’d come every day. Then he went over to the window with Lee, and with their heads together they agreed that Mrs. Tarleton was a real angel.
But Cecil quickly tired of the subdued atmosphere, and of the crowd below. He stood up abruptly and said:
“Let’s go out if your mother doesn’t mind. We’ll take a walk.”
Mrs. Tarleton looked up from her book and nodded. Lee fetched her hat and jacket, and they went forth.
“My father took me to the Cliff House one day. We’ll go there,” announced the Englishman.
“I was going to take you to a candy store—”
“Nasty stuff! It’s a beautiful walk to the Cliff House, and there are big waves and live seals.”