“I dare not refuse. All the same, the stipulation’s hard. Are you satisfied my word goes?”
Mrs. Haigh smiled. “Had I doubted your sincerity, I would have broken the engagement for good, but I did not doubt, and I know the ship-building company was not just. Well, since I trust you, you must play up.”
“I’ll try. After all, you go farther than I hoped,” said Kit.
Kit stayed for dinner. At Netherhall he felt he was in disgrace, and where his relations were not frankly hostile they gave him a rather scornful pity. Mrs. Haigh, however, was kind, and her cheerful talk banished the strain he had for some time borne. She implied that he suffered unjustly and she expected him soon to vindicate himself. Kit did not remark her cleverness; he was flattered and grateful.
For all that, he was disturbed. Mrs. Haigh was frugal, but her frugality was not conspicuous. Kit noted the good glass and china and the flowers in the tall silver stands. The lamps had rose-colored shades; the soft light fell where one wanted light, and where one did not there was restful gloom. The long window was open, and one smelt flowers. In fact, Kit thought the small dining-room a charming room.
The important thing was, Evelyn harmonized with all he saw. Cultivated tranquillity was her proper background, and if she married him she must go without refinements she valued. It would be long before he could give her a house like Mrs. Haigh’s. When he thought about it, Mrs. Haigh’s indulging him was rather remarkable, but he must not exaggerate. After all, he had some useful abilities, and although the fight might be long, he would win.
Evelyn went with him to the gate, and for a time they talked hopefully. When Kit got to Netherhall nobody but Agatha was about. She occupied a corner in the hall, and he believed she waited for him.
“You were at Mrs. Haigh’s?” she said.
“That is so,” Kit agreed in an apologetic voice. “When I started I meant to say good-bye to Evelyn, but when I saw her my resolution melted. Perhaps I was selfish, for Evelyn was splendid.”
“You imply she means to stick to you?”