He recovered, with increasing mirth, the whole occasion. "And you said so!" he retorted as if they were playing a game.
"Then were we all mistaken?"
He considered a little. "No, on the whole not. I dare say it's just what you have done. We are together—it's really most odd. She's thinking of us—of you and me—though we don't meet. And I've no doubt you'll find it will be all right when you go back to her."
"Am I going back to her?" Maisie brought out with a little gasp which was like a sudden clutch of the happy present.
It appeared to make Sir Claude grave a moment; it might have made him feel the weight of the pledge his action had given. "Oh some day, I suppose! We've plenty of time."
"I've such a tremendous lot to make up," Maisie said with a sense of great boldness.
"Certainly, and you must make up every hour of it. Oh I'll see that you do!"
This was encouraging; and to show cheerfully that she was reassured she replied: "That's what Mrs. Wix sees too."
"Oh yes," said Sir Claude; "Mrs. Wix and I are shoulder to shoulder."
Maisie took in a little this strong image; after which she exclaimed: "Then I've done it also to you and her—I've brought you together!"