“And you would get an afternoon twice a week or so? Could I—could—I walk round with you?”
“Oh, I don’t think so; I don’t think they allow ladies’ on men’s golf links. No, no, if you want to start playing yourself, my dear, you must join a ladies’ club and play on your own. It would be good for you.”
“Yes—it would. Won’t you have any more coffee?”
“No, thanks. I may be late for dinner; possibly I may not be able to get back—I’ll send you a wire. By the way, when we leave Ye Dene we will have a telephone put up.”
“Yes,” she said, “it would be most convenient.”
For some time after he had caught his ’bus and gone off to town she sat thinking. Golf, two afternoons a week—that would mean enjoyments in which she could take no part. She knew she was growing suspicious—well, she had enough to make her so. When the scales fall from blind eyes the eyes are not to be blamed for seeing. Some five minutes after Regina had come to this conclusion the door opened and Julia came in.
“All alone, ducky?” she remarked. “Well, I am late. I’d no idea daddy was gone.”
“Yes, you are late, or I fancy, to be correct, he was unusually early. He is almost killed with work—or I should say, over-work. However, he thinks he will get things straight in a few days and then it will be a little easier.”
“Dear daddy! I really don’t see what use Mr. Chamberlain is to him,” said Julia, holding out her hand for the coffee cup which her mother had just filled.