Page:The Awkward Age (New York, Harper and Brothers, 1899).djvu/377

 VANDERBANK

XXXI

then you had better wait," Mrs. Brook said, "till I see if he has gone;" and on the arrival the next moment of the servants with the tea, she was able to put her question. "Is Mr. Cashmore still with Miss Brookenham?"

"No, ma'am," the footman replied—"I let Mr. Cashmore out five minutes ago."

Vanderbank showed for the next short time by his behavior what he felt at not yet being free to take this up; moving pointlessly about the room while the servants arranged the tea-table and taking no trouble to make, for appearance, any other talk. Mrs. Brook, on her side, took so little that the silence—which their temporary companions had all the effect of keeping up by conscious dawdling—became precisely one of those precious lights for the circle belowstairs which people fondly fancy they have not kindled when they have not spoken. But Vanderbank spoke again as soon as the door was closed. "Does he run in and out that way without even speaking to you?"

Mrs. Brook turned away from the fire that, late in May, was the only charm of the crude, cold afternoon. "One would like to draw the curtains, wouldn't one? and gossip in the glow of the hearth." 367