"Come!" said Kitty, holding out her hands.
With difficulty the child pulled himself towards her, moving in sideway fashion along the floor, and dragging the helpless foot after him. Again the shadow crossed Kitty's face. She caught him up, kissed him, and moved to ring the bell.
"Shall I take him up-stairs?" said Margaret.
"Why, he seems to have only just come down!" said Lady Tranmore. "Must he go?"
"He can come down again afterwards," said Kitty. "I want to talk to you. Take him, Margaret."
The babe went without a whimper, still following his mother with his eyes.
"He looks rather frail," said Lady Tranmore. "I hope you'll soon be sending him to the country, Kitty."
"He's very well," said Kitty. Then she took off her hat and looked at the invitations Margaret had been writing.
"Heavens, I had forgotten all about them! What an angel is Margaret! I really can't remember these things. They ought to do themselves by clock-work. And now Fanchette and this ball are enough to drive one wild."
She lifted her hands to her face and pressed back the masses of fair hair that were tumbling round it, with a gesture of weariness.