"Your boat's early, I very nearly didn't get down in time," said Mrs. Townsend. "I couldn't have borne it if I'd missed you."
"But you didn't come to meet me?" exclaimed Kitty.
"Of course I did."
"But how did you know I was coming?"
"Mr. Waddington sent me a telegram."
Kitty turned away. She had a lump in her throat. It was funny that a little unexpected kindness should so affect her. She did not want to cry; she wished Dorothy Townsend would go away. But Dorothy took the hand that was hanging by Kitty's side and pressed it. It embarrassed Kitty that this shy woman should be so demonstrative.
"I want you to do me a great favour. Charlie and I want you to come and stay with us while you're in Tching-Yen."
Kitty snatched her hand away.
"It's awfully kind of you. I couldn't possibly."
"But you must. You can't go and live all by yourself in your own house. It would be dreadful for you. I've prepared everything. You shall have your own sitting-room. You can have your meals there if you don't care to have them with us. We both want you to come."