"Have you pressed Mrs. Ferris to stay to lunch, Virginia?" asked Gaunt after ten minutes' chat.
She lifted her eyes to his as she answered quite shortly: "No."
"But, of course, you understand that we shall insist upon your staying?" said Gaunt almost courteously to the visitor.
"Jolly nice of you, but can't be done," replied Joey. "Got my old man and the kiddies to consider. They have a kind of idea that they can't eat their food unless I'm there. I must be off at once." She stood up. "You see, I came on foot, through the woods, and I must get back, because I have to bring round the car, and also to get my big coat. Mind you see that your Dresden china there is well wrapped up, won't you?"
"It must be over a mile through the woods," objected Gaunt, rising. "Let me order the cart——"
She cut him short. "Bless the man! What's a mile? I do it in ten. I'm as strong as a horse. No, you don't come with me. Stop along o' your missus. I know every step of the way."
He accompanied her to the end of the terrace, saw her run down the hill and disappear through the little gate into the woods. Then he came slowly back to where his wife lay awaiting him with lowered lids. She was softly stroking two of the kittens who lay curled into balls in her lap.
He sat down again beside her. His vicinity made her quiver, but she controlled her nerves valiantly.
"Thank you for the note you sent me yesterday," she said, "and the enclosure. I do not want so large an allowance as you are giving me."
"Try it for a year," he told her. "If it is too much, you need not spend it. Save it up against a rainy day."