“Why, papa, what can possibly have happened to recall you so suddenly?”
“You would not understand if I should tell you,” he said, uneasily; “it is private business of my own. Will you be ready?”
“It is very little time,” Editha replied, wearily. “Would it not do to wait a day or two longer?”
“No, not an hour longer than it will take to pack our trunks and catch a train,” Mr. Dalton said, with a frown.
He was beginning to be very angry to be thus opposed.
“I wish this had not happened just now, and they have only arrived to-night,” Editha murmured, reflectively.
Mr. Dalton scowled angrily, and muttered something about the selfishness of women generally.
Editha sat thinking for a few moments, and then asked:
“Could you not go home without me, papa, if this business is so very urgent? I would really like to remain at the Springs a little longer, and I know that Madam Sylvester would gladly act as my chaperon until you can return.”
It was all that Mr. Dalton could do to suppress an oath at this request.