"I don't think I'll go."
"What!"
"I believe I'll stay home.—I came here to have a talk with you, Gertrude. I need your spiritual help."
"I'm awfully sorry, then, that you didn't come a little sooner,—for you know how glad I always am to discuss anything that is on your mind. If you had only...."
"But couldn't you stay with me just a little while?"
"My dear Eustace, you seem to forget that I have to preside at that meeting. How could I stay with you? Besides, this whole idea of endowing a free nest-box is mine, and I intend to see it carried through."
She started off.
"But, Gertrude ..." he protested.
She paused, with an expression of impatience, and said:
"Oh, well, I'll be late, then. What is it?"