“He went very suddenly,” said Randolph. “It has put off my birthday party.”
“I should like to have seen him before he went,” said Gilbert.
“He had no time to notify all his acquaintances that he was going,” said Mrs. Briggs.
“How long will he be gone?”
“It is quite uncertain,” said the lady, shortly. “It will depend on his business, of course.”
“I wish this visit were well over,” thought Gilbert, but he felt that he must introduce the matter which led to his call.
“Did Mr. Briggs leave any message for me?” he inquired.
“Any message for you?” repeated Mrs. Briggs, arching her eyebrows. “Why should you expect that he would leave any message for you?”
“Perhaps you are not aware,” said Gilbert, uncomfortably, “that Mr. Briggs, while I am at work on small wages, has been in the habit of paying my board.”
“Indeed!” said Mrs. Briggs, in apparent surprise. “Why should he do that?”