"Why is it?" she demanded again, like a queen-child, but he could only fidget with his gold chain and shuffle uneasily in his parnella shoes.
"You are not coming to see my mamma again."
The gentleman gave her an ugly look.
"If you do," she said at once, "I shall come straight here and open that door you are looking at, and tell your wife."
He dared not swear. His hand—
"If you offer me money," said Grizel, "I shall tell her now."
He muttered something to himself.
"Is it true?" she asked, "that mamma is dying?"
This was a genuine shock to him, for he had not been at Double Dykes since winter, and then the Painted Lady was quite well.
"Nonsense!" he said, and his obvious disbelief brought some comfort to the girl. But she asked, "Why are there red spots on her cheeks, then?"