“I am sorry for the little child, and for her loneliness,” he said, “and if I might be permitted——”
The hard face glanced up for a moment and the brows were drawn together in a straight dark line. “Thank you; I desire no one to assist me in the management of my house. Once more—good-night.”
The captain bowed stiffly, turned on his heel, and walked out of the room, followed by Comethup, whose presence the doctor had not even appeared to notice. They found their way out of the dark house, and through the garden into the road. There the captain stood upright for a moment, thinking deeply, and then looked down at Comethup. “Comethup,” he said, “we won’t be put off like this, eh?”
“No,” said Comethup.
“We must go and see her again, and—and look after her, eh?”
“I think so,” said Comethup.
They solemnly shook hands on that decision, the captain bending a little to perform the operation, and then walked away homeward.