“I suppose he has,” said Mrs. Briggs, with a curl of the lip. “I knew he wouldn’t keep away long. Now, Randolph, one thing I ask,—don’t say a word about the matter. I want to make him introduce the subject himself. I don’t wish to spare him any embarrassment.”
“All right, mother.”
Directly the door opened, and Gilbert entered.
“Good-evening, Mrs. Briggs,” he said, approaching and taking the lady’s hand. She just touched his hand coldly, and withdrew hers.
“Good-evening,” she said, briefly.
“Good-evening, Randolph,” said Gilbert, turning to the younger member of the party.
“Good-evening,” said Randolph, less frigidly. “Have you got a place yet?”
“Not yet. My employer has not returned from Washington.”
“Probably it will make very little difference to you how long he stays,” said Mrs. Briggs, disagreeably.
“I hope it will make considerable,” returned Gilbert. “I was surprised to hear that Mr. Briggs had gone to Europe.”