“Then, since your aunt does not know you were in the neighborhood, she will not wonder why you do not arrive,” Jasper remarked. “If you drive fast you may get back for dinner. Well, my porter waits. Good-night, Miss Haigh!”
He crossed the platform and the others went to the hotel. Ledward talked carelessly, but he was annoyed, and Evelyn was thoughtful. Jasper had indicated that he sympathized and would not enlighten his hosts about their excursion. The trouble was, his doing so implied that he knew the excursion was stolen. Moreover, he knew Evelyn was, conditionally, engaged to marry Kit.
Jasper sent his telegram, and when the train started smiled, a cynical smile that nevertheless carried a hint of satisfaction.
CHAPTER XXV
LEDWARD’S PRESENT
Evelyn folded her ball dress and tried to be resigned. The dress was a triumph for clever economy, but it was not all she wanted, and she thought luckier girls would know the country milliner’s touch. The shoes and gloves, for which she had sent to town, however, ought to be good, and would soon arrive by the evening post.
After a few minutes she heard steps on the gravel path, and a servant carried in some letters and packages. Mrs. Haigh gave Evelyn the packages and cut open the envelopes. By and by she looked up.
“The letter is from Kit; he sticks to his undertaking scrupulously. Some time must go before his next letter is due, but he thought he might be allowed to write me, and his news is not very good. He’s still at the company’s workshops, and doubts if he will get back to the bridge. I imagine he’s disturbed about it; but you can have the letter. It’s not at all romantic.”
“Kit is scrupulous,” said Evelyn, and took the letter.
The lamp was between her and Mrs. Haigh, and to know she could not be studied was some relief. On the surface, Kit’s remarks were cheerful, but Evelyn knew him to be disappointed and saw he thought he must be frank. He got the same pay as at the bridge, but his work was a junior draftsman’s work. At the drawing office one could not use one’s abilities, promotion was slow, and so forth.
Evelyn frowned, for although she was sorry for Kit she was resentful. Kit did not know when his luck was good. In England, his folly had cost him his uncle’s support; in Canada he had, with typical rashness, refused to seize a fresh opportunity. Well, she must not allow Kit’s disappointment to damp her spirits for the ball, and she began to open the packages.