"You can't, I should think."
She smiled seriously and passed it by. "He was like a schoolboy let out of school," she said with a sudden jerkiness, "he was so pleased. Poor boy! I knew it must mean a lot to him not to have to worry about money any more for a whole year, and—and to get away."
"Yes," said Rokeby gravely, "yes. And how are you going to celebrate your holiday, Mrs. Kerr?"
She looked at him quickly. A smile broke round her lips. "Do you know," she dared, as if shocked at herself, "last night I was heartbroken; this morning I was bitter; this afternoon I came up to town to try to shake it off—"
"I hope you've shaken it?"
"I—I hardly know. I shall miss him so when I get back. But—but I've got a whole year. A year! But why bother you with these things? A woman would understand; Julia would."
"I suppose you're making a day of it? Going to see Miss Winter this evening perhaps, and tell her all about it?"
She scarcely noticed the eager note in his voice.
"That's an idea!" she exclaimed. "I was wondering what I'd do about this evening, and I was determined not to go home till ten o'clock. I don't know why, but if I can make myself stay right away on my own pleasure till then it will be like breaking a spell. But why I'm talking like this to you I don't know. You'll think me mad."
"No, I shan't."