"It is your duty to cheer up," continued Fred. "George is coming over to see you to-morrow morning."
"I think, don't you think, Fred," said Janet suddenly, "that George is good—really good, I mean?"
"He is all right," said Fred. "Not exactly open-handed. You must lay your account for that, Janet. You'll find him a bit of a screw, or I'm much mistaken."
Janet was too dazed to realize what Fred's discovery of George's meanness betokened.
Silence again.
They were nearing home. The lights of Ivy Cottage twinkled through the violet dusk. Janet looked at them without seeing them.
Cuckoo her friend, and Fred her brother!
"I suppose, Janet," said Fred suddenly, "you were not able to ask Mrs Brand—no—of course not——But perhaps you were able to put in a word for me to Brand about that—about waiting for his money?"
"I never said anything to either of them," said Janet. "I never thought of it again. I forgot all about it."