Her brother cocked a birdlike eye at Miss Gwen.
“Sixpence for the biggest strawberry brought back unnibbled. Off with you. And don’t trample on the plants, John Murchison, Esq.”
The pair raced for the fruit-garden, Master Jack’s enthusiasm rendering him oblivious to the crime of taking precedence of a lady. Gwen relinquished the van to him, and dropped to a demure toddle. Her brother’s flashing legs suggested the thought to her that it was undignified to be greedy.
“Pardon me, Kate, I think you are wanted over the way.”
Mr. Carmagee’s sudden soberness of manner brought the color to Catherine’s cheeks. The lawyer was rattling the keys in his pocket, and blinking irritably at space. Intuition warned her that he was more concerned than he desired her to imagine. She rose instantly, as though her thoughts were already in her home.
“Good-bye; you will excuse me—”
She bent over Miss Carmagee and kissed her, her heart beating fast under the silks of her blouse.
“I’ll bring the youngsters over presently, Kate.”
“Thank you so much.”
“And send some fruit with them.”