Rodd went slowly out of the room, with bowed head and heart as heavy as lead.
"Yes, you tiresome old thing, and come to scold you. Mamma wants to know what is keeping you so long. If you don't come at once, you won't be able to finish dressing before the bell rings, and then everybody will be kept waiting."
"That would, indeed, be a grave misdemeanor. By the way, you have not told me how you enjoyed the ball last night. When you got back you stole off to bed without my having seen you."
"I saw a light in the laboratory, but was afraid of disturbing you. The ball? Oh, it was just lovely! And what do you think? I danced every dance but two!"
"Greedy child! Then you did not fail to enjoy yourself, although a certain person was not there to keep you company."
"It was my first ball, papa--think of that! I could scarcely fail to enjoy myself, could I? Of course I should have enjoyed myself far more if Wally had been there."
"You seem very much in love with Wally, as you call him."
"Of course I am, papa. Have not you yourself agreed that some day we are to be married?"
"I suppose you won't care how soon that 'some day' comes?"
"Indeed, then, I don't want it to come, oh, for ever so long! As if I were in a hurry to leave you and mamma! It is most unkind of you even to hint at such a thing, and I have a great mind to sulk with you for the rest of the day."