"Come and see me after the next act," she said, looking at him closely.
"If I can," he said hastily.
He went up the steps and from the tail of his eye saw her linger, watching him as he went. A little contrition, a sudden sympathy came to him, but he repressed it angrily, saying to himself between his teeth:
"Garraboy—how can she stand for that!"
When he returned to the box, Mrs. Kildair and Mrs. Fontaine were in the anteroom in low converse. He was suddenly struck with the look of age in Mrs. Kildair's face.
"But I assure you—I can go alone," she was saying.
"I would not allow it," said Mrs. Fontaine firmly. Then turning to Beecher she said, so as not to reach the others: "Teddy, as soon as the curtain is up, step out. Mrs. Kildair is not well. You will take her home. I have ordered the automobile. You can get back for the last act."
Mrs. Kildair made no further remonstrance—she was at the end of her tether.
"Sit here," she said to Beecher, sitting down on the couch. "I don't want to be noticed."
"You're ill!" he said alarmed.