"When will you be back?"
"Not before night-fall."
"But going on another business journey!" said Mrs. Rossitur. "You have but just these few hours come home from one."
"Cannot breakfast be ready?"
"Yes, uncle Rolf," said Fleda bringing her bright face before him,--"ready at half-past five if you like--now that I am to the fore, you know."
He clasped her to his breast and kissed her again; but with a face so very grave that Fleda was glad nobody else saw it.
Then Charlton went, averring that he wanted at least a night and a half of sleep between two such journeys as the one of that day and the one before him on the next,--especially as he must resign himself to going without anything to eat. Him also Fleda laughingly promised that precisely half an hour before the stage time a cup of coffee and a roll should be smoking on the table, with whatever substantial appendages might be within the bounds of possibility, or the house.
"I will pay you for that beforehand with a kiss," said he.
"You will do nothing of the kind," said Fleda stepping back;--"a kiss is a favour taken, not given; and I am entirely ignorant what you have done to deserve it."
"You make a curious difference between me and Hugh," said Charlton, half in jest, half in earnest.