"Over to old Jasper's to imprison myself in my room. I want to think."
While Lyman was busy with Caruthers, Eva was tripping along a grass-grown street. She and her mother had just returned. The social relationship between the banker's daughter and the daughter of old Jasper Staggs had not been close; Eva's visits had always been a surprise. And on this day when Annie saw her coming, she got up in a flutter to meet her at the door.
"Why, how do you do?" Annie cried, catching her hand. "I am delighted to see you. When did you get home? We didn't hear that you had come back."
"We returned not more than an hour ago."
"Come in and put your things off."
"I haven't time to stay but a few moments. Is your mother well?"
"Yes, very well. I will call her."
"Oh, no, I'm going to remain so short a time. I was out walking and I thought I'd stop for a moment. Is your father well?"
"Yes, as well as usual. I don't know where he is—out in the garden, I suppose."