"And when I get back I shall be plunged at once into all the thick of the manufacturing work," he went on, straightening himself up; "Mr. Marlowe is as good as he can be, and he has waited now longer than he ought to."
"Oh, you must go, Jasper," cried Polly quickly; "at once, this very day," and her face glowed.
"If you think sister Marian is really well enough to spare me," he said, trying to restrain his impatience to be off.
"Yes—yes, I do," declared Polly. "Doctor Palfrey said this morning that all danger was over now from inflammation, and really it worries her dreadfully to think of your being here any longer. It really does hurt her, Jasper," repeated Polly emphatically.
"In that case I'm off, then, this afternoon," said Jasper, with a glad ring in his voice. "Polly, my work is the very grandest in all the world."
"Isn't it?" cried Polly, with kindling eyes; "just think—to make good books, Jasper, that will never stop, perhaps, being read. Oh, I wish I was a man and could help you."
"Polly?" he stopped a minute, looked down into her face, then turned off abruptly. "You are sure you won't bother yourself too much with Charlotte?" he said awkwardly coming back.
"Yes; don't worry, Jasper," said Polly, wondering at his unusual manner.
"All right; then as soon as I've seen father I'll throw my traps together and be off," declared Jasper, quite like the business man again.
But old Mr. King was not to hear about it just then, for when Jasper rapped at his door, it was to find that his father was fast asleep.