“Have you nothing more to say?” I asked.
“Good gracious, child! this is my night for school. I have to give two lectures to the boys of the First Form. Good-night—good-night.”
He did not kiss me—he very seldom did that—but his voice had a very affectionate tone.
After he had gone I sat for a long time by the fire. The neglected dinner-things remained on the table; the room was as shabby and as empty as possible, but not quite as cold as usual. Presently Hannah came in. She began to clear away the dinner-things.
“Hannah,” I said, “I told father about Miss Grace Donnithorne’s visit.”
“And who in the name of wonder may she be?” asked Hannah.
“Oh, a lady. I let her in myself this afternoon.”
“What call have you to be opening the hall door?”
“Didn’t you hear a very sharp ring at the hall door about three o’clock?” I said.
Hannah stood stock-still.