Both were silent again for a space, and I think not only one was happy. For Dolly knew the plan would work. But she was struggling besides with a thought which she wanted, and did not want, to speak. It must come out! or Dolly would not have been Dolly.
"Mr. Shubrick"—— she began.
"What?" said he eagerly; for Dolly's tone showed that there was a good deal behind it.
"Would you—I was thinking"——
"About what?"
"The house. Would you—trust me? I mean, of course, if we are there before you?"
A flood of colour rushed over Dolly's face.
"Trust you?" he said with a bright light in his eyes. "What am I going to do all my life? Trust you to put your own house in order? I cannot think of anything I should like quite so well. What a delightful thought, Dolly!"
"I should like it," said Dolly shyly.
"Then, instead of writing to Mrs. Armitage to open the house, I will send her an order to deliver the key to Mrs. Shubrick."