Page:The Finer Grain (London, Methuen & Co., 1910).djvu/85

Rh out'—since you make out such wonders!—is to be all for us only?"

He found it fortunately given him still to smile. 'That will depend, dear, on our appreciating it enough to make things agreeable to her in order to get it. But as she didn't inquire for you," he hastened to add, "I don't—no, I don't—advise your going to see her, even for the interest I speak of!" He bethought himself. "We must wait a little."

"Wait till she gets worse?"

He felt after a little that he should be able now always to command a kindly indulgent tone. "I'll go and see her, if you like."

"Why in the world should I like it? Is it your idea—for the pleasure you so highly appreciate, and heaven knows what you mean by it!—to cultivate with her a free relation of your own?"

"No;"—he promptly turned,—"I suggest it only as acting for you. Unless," he went on, "you decidedly wish to act altogether for yourself."

For some moments she made no answer; though when she at last spoke it was as if it were an answer. "I shall send for Mr Puddick."

"And whom will you send?"

"I suppose I'm capable of a note," Jane replied.

"Yes, or you might even telegraph. But are you sure he'll come?"

"Am I sure, you mean," she asked, "that his companion will let him? I can but try, at all events, and shall at any rate have done what I can."