"That's alright, of course, but I imagine we want what we pay for."
"Yes, yes, of course," Darwen said, picking up his hat. "Good night." He went off rather suddenly.
CHAPTER XVI
That evening Carstairs went to call on Mrs Darwen to ascertain if the girl had got back again. She had. He almost ran into her just outside the house, she was going towards the town.
He turned and walked beside her. "How's your mother?" he asked.
"Better," she said coldly. She kept very far away from him.
"I'm sorry I had to run away and leave you the other night."
"It didn't matter in the least. I was rather glad."
Carstairs had a momentary impulse to turn on his heel and leave her for good and all without any more words, but he was by nature an inquirer, he liked to get to the bottom of things, besides he was in love with this girl and he felt there must be some vital misunderstanding somewhere.