‘We are very much indebted to you, Mr. Wellfield. You have given us a very great treat, and I sincerely hope you will favour us in the same way on some other occasion.’
With which he pulled his lamp up to him again, and re-opened his book.
‘Nita, I am going. John will see me home,’ said Miss Shuttleworth, while John, stooping over Nita, remarked:
‘My child, you appear to have collapsed altogether.’
Aunt Margaret had gone upstairs to take off the green and yellow cap; Nita turned round, and sat up. Her face was pale, and there was an expression of suffering upon it.
‘I tell you what it is,’ said John, ‘you want a little fresh air, Nita. Suppose you and Wellfield come with Aunt Margaret and me to the gate. You are afraid to go alone, you know, being such a coward.’
Nita smiled faintly.
‘Here’s a shawl,’ pursued John. ‘I’ll put it round your shoulders—so.’
She passively allowed him to fold the little cashmere about her shoulders, and when Aunt Margaret came down, and handed John her umbrella to carry, she called out:
‘Papa, Mr. Wellfield and I are going to see the others to the gate.’