"So I have been told. But it is a great deal pleasanter here, even with only one-third of the family, than it is in my solitary rooms at the hotel."
At that Lois sat down, and so did he. She could not seem to bid him go away. However, she said—
"Mrs. Wishart has taken Madge to your sister's. It is the night of her music party."
"Why did not Mrs. Wishart take you?"
"I thought—it was better for me to stay at home," Lois answered, with a little hesitation.
"You are not afraid of an evening alone!"
"No, indeed; how could I be? Indeed, I think in New York it is rather a luxury."
Then she wished she had not said that. Would he think she meant to intimate that he was depriving her of a luxury? Lois was annoyed at herself; and hurried on to say something else, which she did not intend should be so much in the same line as it proved. Indeed, she was shocked the moment she had spoken.
"Don't you go to your sister's music parties, Mr. Dillwyn?"
"Not universally."