“He’s not with her now. I’ve just been with her.”
“Then he didn’t go up?” Mrs. Brook was immensely interested. “He left me, you know, to do so.”
“Know—how should I know? I left her five minutes ago.”
“Then he went out without seeing her.” Mrs. Brook took it in. “He changed his mind out there on the stairs.”
“Well,” said Edward, “it won’t be the first mind that has been changed there. It’s about the only thing a man can change.”
“Do you refer particularly to MY stairs?” she asked with her whimsical woe. But meanwhile she had taken it in. “Then whom were you speaking of?”
“Mr. Longdon’s coming to tea with her. She has had a note.”
“But when did he come to town?”
“Last night, I believe. The note, an hour or two ago, announced him—brought by hand and hoping she’d be at home.”
Mrs. Brook thought again. “I’m glad she is. He’s too sweet. By hand!—it must have been so he sent them to mamma. He wouldn’t for the world wire.”