Shirley stepped forward and said determinedly:—
"But we must see him."
"He's expected any moment," said Mixley from across the room.
"We'll wait," chorused the three visitors.
McGrath bowed again and went back to his seat near the window.
Presently Miriam turned to Shirley, and said regretfully:—
"You ought not to have come, Shirley. Perhaps you had better not stay."
Shirley looked narrowly at Challoner and at his wife. After a moment she inquired:—
"Don't you want me to stay?"
"Yes, yes, of course we do," Miriam assured her, "but you don't want to stay, do you?"