"This is the first bit of luck I have had for weeks. You always manage to be out when I call. Come along, my boys. What lucky little fellows you are to come to town for the season!"
"Ah, but we are not going to stay in town. We are going to the sea-side to bathe, and to sail in boats, and—"
"Run in, Charlie, like a good boy," interrupted Katherine. "Your tea will be quite ready."
"I suppose you will think me horribly intrusive if I ask you to let me come in?" said De Burgh. There was something unusually earnest in his tone.
"Oh, not at all," returned Katherine, politely, though she would have much preferred bidding him good-morning. "Here, Sarah, pray take the boys to their room and get their things off. I am sure they want their tea."
Miss Payne's sedate elderly house-maid looked quite elated as she took Charlie's hand and, preceded by Cecil, led him upstairs.
"Are you really 'out' when I come?" asked De Burgh when they reached the drawing-room.
Katherine took off her hat and pushed her hair off her brow as she seated herself in a low chair.
"Yes, I think so. I do not usually deny myself to any visitor." She looked up, half amused, half interested, by the almost imploring expression of his usually hard face.
"I rather suspect I am not a favored guest?"