Page:The Other House (London, William Heinemann, 1896), Volume 1.djvu/189

Rh have failed to divine that, with some profundity of calculation, he had taken refuge there as a mute protest against any frustration of his interview with Rose. This young lady herself laughed out as she saw him rise, and her laugh would have been, for the same observer, a tribute to the natural art that was mingled with his obvious simplicity. Paul himself recognised its bearing and, as he came and stood at the tea-table, acknowledged her criticism by saying quietly: "I was afraid dear mamma would take me away."

"On the contrary; she has formally surrendered you."

"Then you must let me perform her office and help you to some tea."

He spoke with a rigid courtesy that was not without its grace, and in the rich shade of her umbrella, which she twirled repeatedly on her shoulder, she looked down with detachment at the table. "I'll do it for myself, thank you; and I should like you to return to your hammock."

"I left it on purpose," the young man said. "Flat on my back, that way, I'm at a sort of disadvantage in talking with you."