Maria looked at him, fairly gasping with astonishment. She tried to speak, but a cough choked her.
“You had better go if Mr. Lloyd will take you,” Abby said, decisively. “Thank you, Mr. Lloyd; she isn't fit to be out.” She urged her sister towards the sleigh, and Robert assisted her into the fur-lined nest.
“I can sit with the driver,” said Robert to Abby, “if you will come with your sister.”
“No, thank you,” replied Abby. “I am able to walk, but I will be much obliged if you will take Maria home.”
Robert sprang in beside Maria, and the sleigh slid out of sight.
“I never!” said Abby. Ellen said nothing, but plodded on, her eyes fixed on the snowy track.
“I am glad she had a chance to ride,” said Granville Joy, in a tentative voice. He looked uneasily at Ellen.
“It beats the Dutch,” said Abby. She also regarded Ellen with sympathy and perplexity. When they reached the street where she lived, up which the sleigh had disappeared, she let Granville go on ahead, and she spoke to Ellen in a low tone. “Why didn't he ask you?” she said.
“He did,” replied Ellen.
“In the office?”