He turned quickly, hurt by her meekness. “My love! Of course! Can you ask me such things?”
She could not afford tenderness from him just now. She took a business-like tone.
“My sister is to be married shortly, as you know. There is a good deal to do. I could help mother, you know. Jinny is staying with Mr. Podmore’s family.”
He nodded approvingly. “Quite so, quite so. It would be only kind. You have engagements, no doubt—but nothing pressing, I suppose. Have we not people here, by the way?”
“Not until the 26th. This is the 11th.”
“Yes, yes, my dear. Make whatever arrangements suit you. When do you think of going?”
“I thought, the day after to-morrow. But——”
“Well, my love?”
“I should not care to go, if I thought—that you might want me.”
He turned to his desk. “Want you!” he said under his breath. “Want you!” So careful was he that she could never have guessed the bitterness of that soft cry.