Page:The Other House (London, William Heinemann, 1896), Volume 2.djvu/114

100 "Nonsense—for all you mind me!" She scanned him again. "Are you ill, Paul?"

"I'm all right," he answered philosophically.

"Then kiss your old mammy." Solemnly, silently he obeyed her; but after he had done so she still held him before her eyes. She gave him a sharp pat. "You're worth them all!"

Paul made no acknowledgment of this tribute save to remark after an instant rather awkwardly: "I don't know where Tony is."

"I can do without Tony," said his mother. "But where's Tony's child?"

"Miss Armiger has taken her home."

"The clever thing!"—Mrs. Beever fairly applauded the feat. "She was here when you came out?"

"No, but Jean told me."

"Jean was here?"

"Yes; but she went over."

"Over to Bounds—after what has happened?" Mrs. Beever looked at first incredulous; then she looked stern again. "What in the name of goodness possesses her?"

"The wish to bid Effie good-night."