Prothero looked at Laura, and Mr. Gunning looked at Prothero. His terrible idea had come back to him at the sight of the young man, risen, and standing beside Laura for departure.
"Are you going to take my little girl away from me?" he said.
"Poor little Papa, of course he isn't. I'm going with Jane, and Nina. You know Nina?"
"And who," he cried, "is going to take me for my walk?"
He had her there. She wavered.
"Addy's coming in to give you your tea. You like Addy." (He bowed to Miss Ranger with a supreme courtesy.) "And I'll be back in time to see you in your little bed."
She ran off. Addy Ranger took Mr. Gunning very tenderly by the arm and led him to the stairs to see her go.
Outside on the pavement Tanqueray gave way to irritation.
"If," said he, "it would only please Heaven to take that old gentleman to itself."
"It won't," said Nina.