“Yes. I met him out at your dance last winter, Dolly,” said Amelia, “and he was really charming to me. We had many dances together—such an interesting boy!”
Even Elise bent her head to conceal a smile at the mention of the “many dances” Paul and Amelia had had together. She had heard Paul’s account of that pleasure.
“Why, Amelia! did you set your cap at Paul? I’m surprised at you. And he was only a child!”
“Dear me—how can you say such things, Elise,” cried Amelia coyly. “I—”
“I wish I could tell him that you asked about him,” added Elise, “I know it would make him very happy.”
“Nonsense! I’m sure he wouldn’t care in the least! But tell me what has become of him.”
“He went away last month—or six weeks ago,” said Elise, briefly, glancing at Jane. “Isn’t that Papa just coming in, Janey? It must be after five.”
“After five!” cried Lily, “then I have to run, dear. Mamma didn’t want me to come at all in this rain—”
“We’ve got to go too, so we’ll take you home, Lily,” said Annie Lee. “Come along, Amelia. We may drop in to-morrow, Lisa, and Mama says that if you want any extra sewing done that Roxie can do it easily.”
Mr. Lambert entered the dining room just after the four girls had gone. There was a peculiar expression on his face—a mixture of annoyance, pleasure and pride, and he seemed to take no notice of the disorder of the room as he kissed his two daughters, and asked them to give him a cup of tea.