"And if he likes the idea, my secretary will discuss the details with him later. Wages, duties—all the details."
"Yes, sir."
"And you may tell the children I'll leave orders that the car be sent for them some other day. I find it's not convenient, after all, for me to take them myself this afternoon. I spoke too fast in proposing it. But they'll not be disappointed. Mr. Blennerhasset will see to that. I leave town to-night to be gone—well, indefinitely. In any case, until well on into the autumn or winter. Any letter you may direct to me, care of Mr. Blennerhasset at the office, will be attended to at once. Good-by, Martha!—Miss Lang—" He was gone.
When the car had shot out of sound and sight, Martha withdrew from the window, from behind the blinds of which she had been peering eagerly.
"He certainly is a little woolly wonder, meaning no offense," she observed with a deep-drawn sigh. "Yes, Mr. Ronald is as good as they make 'em, an' dontcher forget it!"
She seated herself opposite Claire, drawing her chair quite close.
"Pity you an' him is so on the outs. I'm not speakin' o' him, s'much, but anybody with half an eye can see you got a reg'lar hate on'm. Any one can see that!"
A moment of silence, and then Claire flung herself, sobbing and quivering, across Martha's lap, ready to receive her.
"O, Martha!" she choked.