She flew on winged feet and explained excitedly.
"Tonight? Tonight, Jean?"
"Yes, Daddy."
"But what time is it?"
"Only ten. He'll come at eleven—"
"But you can't leave Emily alone, dear."
"Emily won't mind—darling—will you, Emily?"
"Of course not. I am often alone."
It was said quietly, without bitterness, but Dr. McKenzie was quite suddenly and unreasonably moved by the thought of all that Emily had missed. He felt it utterly unfair that she should sit alone by an empty hearth while he and Jean frivolled. He had never thought of Hilda by an empty hearth—and she had been often alone—but there was this which made the difference, he would not have asked Hilda to meet his daughter's friends. She had her place in his household, but it was not the place which Emily filled.
Yet he missed her. He missed her blond picturesqueness at the dinner table, her trim whiteness as she served him in his office.