Mrs. Pendyce broke the silence:
“But you, George dear? What is going to happen? How are you going to manage?” And suddenly clasping her hands: “Oh! what is coming?”
Those words, embodying all that had been in his heart so long, were too much for George. He went abruptly to the door.
“I can't stop now,” he said; “I'll come again this evening.”
Mrs. Pendyce looked up.
“Oh, George”
But as she had the habit of subordinating her feelings to the feelings of others, she said no more, but tried to smile.
That smile smote George to the heart.
“Don't worry, Mother; try and cheer up. We'll go to the theatre. You get the tickets!”
And trying to smile too, but turning lest he should lose his self-control, he went away.