But up-stairs they went, and were graciously received by the sisters. Mr Brown was wildly happy, and utterly unable to show himself to any advantage. He wandered aimlessly about, showing Mona this and that, and striving vainly to utter a single sentence consecutively.
"Can't you have tea?" he said in a stage-whisper to his sister.
"Oh, thank you," interposed Rachel with a somewhat oleaginous smile, "it's very kind, I'm sure, but we're on our way to Mrs Easson's, and we won't spoil our appetites."
"Are you going to be here long?" said the draper to Mona.
"At Borrowness? A few months, I expect."
"Then you'll be doing some more botanising?"
"Oh yes."
"There's some very nice things a little bit farther round the coast than we went the other day. Would you come some time with my sister and me?"
"I should be very glad indeed," said Mona warmly. "It is an immense advantage to go with some one who knows the neighbourhood."
"Well, we will arrange the day—later on," and he sighed; "but it won't do to wait too long now."