"We just built a fire, Moth-er." Spencer pressed against her. "I didn't know it was so late. We were bandits."
"Go on into your room, Spencer. You know you should come straight home."
"He ought to be punished," declared Charles, as the boy vanished in relieved haste.
"I judge you have been punishing him." Catherine stood between Charles and Spencer's closing door. "He was trembling, and almost crying, and he never cries."
"Did you want me to kiss him when I found him, after the way I've spent the afternoon?"
"You want to make him feel as bad as you have!" Catherine leaned against the wall. She was exhausted; her heart was beating in short, spasmodic jerks, as if she had run for miles.
"I suppose I was mad, clear through." Charles grinned, abashed. Then he stiffened again. "Devilish thing to do. I came home after some lecture notes, for a meeting, and I couldn't even go to the meeting."
Miss Kelly came into the hall. She had smoothed her hair into its usual neatness, and her face was roundly pink again.
"I am afraid I must go," she said. Her eyes inspected them, gravely. Catherine flushed; Miss Kelly had heard them squabbling and she was reproaching Catherine.