"So did I, though of course I've known I'd no business hanging on the skirt of Mason and Dixon's line this way. I might almost as well be in my office at home--tackling the pile of work that's been rolling up while I go on with this invalid's mummery.... Well, Heber's found me out, as of course the clever beggar would. He's been thinking, you see, that I was in Pineburst, at the least. I had a red-headed telegram from him this afternoon ordering me to move on to Palm Beach instanter, or he would bring my revered parents down on me like a thousand of brick--no small matter, I assure you.... Palm Beach--Havana, perhaps!--till winter breaks!... A happy New Year message, isn't it?"
"It's very sad for me," said Carlisle, looking away from him.
"Well, I can't say that I feel exactly hilarious about it, you know."
There fell a brief silence, in which the crackling of the large new coal became noticeable.
"Duty is a hard word, Miss Heth," said Canning. "A thousand times I've wished that I wasn't an only son--my family's one hopeful. But I am, alas.... And hence the little rest-cure...."
"Yes, it's hard," she answered. And instead of going on as some girls would, "Don't you think you could possibly stay a little longer?"--she added, in tones of comforting: "But of course you will enjoy Florida immensely. You know you'll find agreeable people, and plenty of fun--"
"Of course! It is my particular delight," said Canning, in his hoarsened voice, "to stay in an attractive place just long enough to fall in love with it, and then be whipped away like a naughty schoolboy."
Carlisle slowly drew off her glove.
"I'm glad you've liked it here," said she.... "Shall you stop again, on your way back home?"
The man's eyes turned from the fire full upon her face. His voice changed a little.