'I wish you would, Mr. Falkirk.'
A new expression on Mr. Falkirk's face shewed that a new idea had occurred to him.
'What does this mean?' he asked gently, bending on his ward one of his keen looks from under the thick eyebrows.
She answered without looking at him,
'It means what is says, sir.'
'What is the matter, my dear?' came more sympathizingly than
Mr. Falkirk's wont. It was even a little low and tender.
'Why, Mr. Falkirk—it is such an unreasonable request, that you should be so keen after reasons?'
'I do not know that it is unreasonable, but you know that it is unwonted. You have not been apt to wish for more guarding than you have had, Miss Hazel. Cannot you tell me what makes you desire it now?'
Mr. Falkirk did not growl now, nor draw his brows together; he was in patient earnest, seeing cause.
'I did not say to guard me, sir. Sometimes,' said Hazel, choosing her words, 'sometimes it might be pleasant to have somebody in the room to whom I was supposed to belong—just a little bit. How do you like Major Seaton's grapes, Mr. Falkirk?'