“Stevens will do them for you,” Margaret said softly. He did not care how they were jumbled in, or what left behind, so that he secured this precious hour.
“Something has upset her, it was not only the lunch,” Margaret said sapiently. He did not wish to enlighten her.
“Has she worried you, beloved one?”
“Not very much, not as much as she ought to perhaps. I was selfish with her, left her too much alone. I shall know better another time. But at least we had yesterday afternoon, and this morning ... oh! and part of the evening, too. Did I frighten you very much?” she asked him.
“Before I had time to be frightened you smiled, something of your colour came back. Margaret, that reminds me. Do you mind if I suggest to you that if you were really seedy Dr. Kennedy is comparatively a young man....” She laughed.
“But look how devoted he is!”
“That is why.” He spoke a little gravely, and she put her hand in his.
“Jealous!” Her voice was very soft.
“The whole world loves you.”
“I don’t love the whole world.” And when she said this her voice was no longer only soft, it was tenderness itself.