"Because you can't expect him to keep on running up to Garthdale when
Papa's all right."
"I don't expect him."
"Well then——!" said Mary with the air of having exhausted all plausible interpretations.
"If I were offended," said Gwenda, "should I be here?"
The appearance of the tea-tray and the parlormaid absolved Mary from the embarrassing compulsion to reply. She addressed herself to the parlormaid.
"Tell Dr. Rowcliffe that tea is ready and that Miss Gwendolen is here."
She really wanted Steven to come and deliver her from the situation she had created. But Rowcliffe delayed his coming.
"Is it true that Steven's going to give up his practice?" Gwenda said presently.
"Well no—whatever he does he won't do that," said Mary.
She thought, "So that's what she came for. Steven hasn't told her anything."