"We shall say ten o'clock, then."
"That is fairly late, isn't it?"
"You forget that I have had a tiring day, and perhaps you hardly realize whose conduct has tired me. Good-night."
"Good-night," he replied in an unimpassioned voice.
As the widow ascended she told herself that she had adopted entirely the right attitude. She might relent to-morrow, but till then it was well he should be deprived of the sunshine of her smiles.
Next morning at the hour of 10:15 she stepped out of the lift to find Jean waiting in the hall. She greeted Mrs. Dunbar with a markedly composed air.
"I hope you won't mind breakfasting alone?" she said.
It was evident that the widow did mind.
"Do you mean to say your father has actually breakfasted without me?"
"Unfortunately, he had to."