"Go on," she said; "what did he say, and why, why didn't you call me?"
"Boris tried to catch you up, but you would dance with Hugh Pierson. We ran out to father and he talked to us. The 'perhaps' has come true, Molly; oh, Molly, the 'perhaps' has come quite true."
"How do you know, Nell? Don't tremble so, Nell, dear."
"Father wouldn't come in," continued Nell, making a brave effort to recover herself. "He told us about our great-great-grandmother and her apple-green dress, and he said that he had come back to fetch something, and that he must return to London to-night; and then he said,'God—God bless you,' and his voice shook just a tiny bit, and he said that mother would be home to-morrow, and——"
"Yes, Nell, and——"
"Boris said 'Will you come home?' and—but——"
"What did he say to that?"
"He said nothing to that; he walked away very soft and quick. Molly, what does it mean?"
"I don't know," said Molly. "Now, Nell, you must get into bed. You are quite cold and shivery. I am going downstairs to fetch you a little hot wine and water, and then I'll put my arms round you until you sleep."