179 "Good-night." Her fingers fluttered in his big grasp for a moment, then he turned away and the front door shut heavily behind him.
Marie went into the drawing-room to Miss Chester. She felt very tired, and her footsteps dragged.
"We've got back," she said.
"Yes." Miss Chester looked up. "I thought I heard Mr. Dakers' voice," she added.
"So you did, but he would not stay when he heard that Chris had gone out."
Miss Chester's kindly gaze wavered a little.
"Chris seemed very disappointed not to find you at home," she said. "He could not understand it. He said that he wired he should be home this afternoon."
"So he did, and I got the wire, but as he is always so uncertain I did not think it worth while to stay at home."
There was a little silence. The distressed color rushed to Miss Chester's thin face, and she laid down her knitting.
"Marie!" she said, aghast.