Page:Edgar Jepson--the four philanthropists.djvu/124

118 for you remaining in this compromising position. We must find some rooms for you."

Then I sighed.

Angel looked at me quickly, and then her eyes fell. "I expect you have found me awfully in the way," she said.

"Nothing of the kind!" I said with some heat. "It's been delightful having you here. I think it suits me to have some one to look after. It makes life more interesting."

"It's been awfully nice, being looked after. I've not been so happy since my father died," she said simply.

"And it's been awfully nice having a companion—a—an intimate friend to talk to."

"I've found that," she said.

We were silent, and it was being borne in upon me that I should find her going a good deal of a wrench. "I suppose I ought to go," she said. "But I shall find it very lonely."

"No, you won't find that. You'll see plenty of us—Chelubai and Bottiger and myself. We shan't let you be lonely."

"It won't be at all the same though," she said with a sigh.

"No, worse luck, it won't."

She was silent again; then she looked at me and said, "You like having me here? Really?"