“It is about this house,” she went on. “Have you done anything about renting it this Winter?”
“No,” he replied, betraying a little impatience. “I’ve had other things to think about. Besides, I shall be over here now and then.”
“But it would hardly pay to keep the house open for that,” she insisted, gently. “Besides, it would be gloomy for you here——”
“Alone?” he said, sharply, looking up at her. “Yes,” he repeated, dryly, “it would be lonely.” He lifted his hand to his head. “I suppose you’re right about that,” he sighed. “I’ll speak to an agent to-morrow. We can doubtless rent it furnished. Still, it’s a little late in the season,” he concluded, vaguely.
“I shall want to have some of our things sent to Waverly,” she said. “I thought I would begin to get them together to-day.”
“Oh, don’t begin to break up till we’re ready to get out of here!” he exclaimed. “Wait till after the election. Besides, I expect Franklin West over in a few days, and I don’t want him to come into an empty house.” He was glad of the chance to mention West’s coming in this indirect way. He kept his eyes turned from his wife.
After a moment of silence she said, in a low voice: “He is coming here?”
He gave her a quick glance. “Yes; why not?”
She moved slightly, but she did not answer. She grew slightly paler.
“I know you don’t like him,” he went on, angry with himself for taking an apologetic attitude, “but surely you won’t object to his staying here a day or two. You’ve never objected before.”