“That trunk,” I said to the expressman.
“Is that all?” asked he.
“That is all,” I replied, giving him the number of the house in Needham Street.
The man picked up the trunk and I followed him down stairs. I paid him, and he went off with my baggage. I was not willing to leave my wife without saying good-by to her, for I had some hope that she would yet relent. When my hand was on the door which I intended to close, Lilian called me from the stairs above. She came down, followed by Mrs. Oliphant. I hoped that both of them would understand me by this time.
“What’s the matter, Paley?” asked “dear ma,” trying to look pleasant.
“Nothing is the matter,” I replied, not caring to discuss the question with her.
“Lilian tells me you are going to your new house.”
“Doubtless she told you that before.”
“But I did not think you would go off and leave her.”