"You didn't—you don't mean to say you sent him away?"
"No, Aunty. Good-night."
"It's early. You're going to bed so early?"
"Yes, I think I'll go to bed. I'm—I'm tired."
"But it's early," repeated Mrs. Newberry, who was accustomed to order her life according to hours and not to reason.
"Is it?" said Muriel.
"It's scarcely ten. The library clock just struck."
"I think it struck some time ago."
"Did it?"
"I think I shall go to bed, Aunty."