The question this time was one to which the speaker might have expected an answer, but Vanderbank’s only immediate answer was to walk and walk. “I want so awfully to be kind to her,” he at last said.
“I should think so!” Then with irrelevance Mitchy harked back. “Shall I find out?”
But Vanderbank, with another thought, had lost the thread. “Find out what?”
“Why if she does get anything—!”
“If I’m not kind ENOUGH?”—Van had caught up again. “Dear no; I’d rather you shouldn’t speak unless first spoken to.”
“Well, HE may speak—since he knows we know.”
“It isn’t likely, for he can’t make out why I told you.”
“You didn’t tell ME, you know,” said Mitchy. “You told Mrs. Brook.”
“Well, SHE told you, and her talking about it is the unpleasant idea. He can’t get her down anyhow.”
“Poor Mrs. Brook!” Mitchy meditated.