"Now come, you must have your supper, dear. I am sure you have earned it. We will have it quietly together before Ada comes back. I feel so relieved, I shall be able to eat now."
CHAPTER V.
"INTO THE SHADOWS."
To avoid Mrs. Frederic Liddell's almost screaming curiosity was not easy, and to appease it Kate assumed an air of frankness, saying that she believed Mr. Liddell merely wished to test her powers as secretary, and that she hoped she had not succeeded too well.
"Oh, you lazy thing! You really ought to try and get in with him. Oughtn't she, Mrs. Liddell?"
"Yes, certainly, if she can; but I fancy it will not be so easy. What are you going to do to-day, Ada?"
"Oh, nothing"—in a rather discontented tone. "Why do you ask?"
"Because I am obliged to go into town on a matter of business, and I want to take Katherine."
"Well, I will look after the boys"—condescendingly, as if it were not her legitimate business. "But I really think you worry too much about those tiresome publishers. They would think more of you if you troubled them less. Your mother looks pale and fagged, Katherine."