"But you promised Mrs. Leadbatter to—"
"I promised to buy a dress with her sovereign. But I shan't be here when the vicar comes. He can't come till the afternoon."
"Why, where will you be?" he said, his heart beginning to beat fast.
"With you," she replied, with a faint accent of surprise.
He steadied himself against the mantel-piece.
"But—" he began, and ended, "is that honest?"
He dimly descried her lips pouting. "We can always send her another when we have one," she said.
He stood there, dumb, glad of the darkness.
"I must go down now," she said. "I mustn't stay long."
"Why?" he articulated.