“But not for the pretty girl. Besides, I'm rather too busy to go about, even if I were inclined to.”
“Are you really busy, Stephen?”
“Yes—waiting. That is the very hardest sort of occupation. And I'm obliged to be on hand every minute.”
“But you said that you were going out of town.”
“Did I? Well, I did not say it, exactly, but I am going to leave town.”
“For very long?” she asked.
“Perhaps. I can't tell yet.”
“Stephen, before you go—if you are going for a very, very long while—perhaps you will—you might care to say good-bye?”
“Do you think it best?”
“No,” she said innocently; “but if you care—”