“Mrs. Brookenham’s compliments, please sir,” this messenger articulated, “and Miss Brookenham is now alone.”
“Thanks—I’ll come up.”
The servant withdrew, and the eyes of the two visitors again met for a minute, after which Mitchy looked about for his hat. “Good-bye. I’ll go.”
Mr. Longdon watched him while, having found his hat, he looked about for his stick. “You want to be in EVERYTHING?”
Mitchy, without answering, smoothed his hat down; then he replied: “You say you’re not for long, but you won’t abandon her.”
“Oh I mean I shan’t last for ever.”
“Well, since you so expressed it yourself, that’s what I mean too. I assure you I shan’t desert her. And if I can help you—!”
“Help me?” Mr. Longdon interrupted, looking at him hard.
It made him a little awkward. “Help you to help her, you know—!”
“You’re very wonderful,” Mr. Longdon presently returned. “A year and a half ago you wanted to help me to help Mr. Vanderbank.”