Page:The Other House (London, William Heinemann, 1896), Volume 2.djvu/127

Rh "How long ago?"

Paul looked as if fifty persons had been watching him. "Oh, not long!"

Rose addressed herself to the trio. "Then why on earth haven't I met her? She must explain her astounding statement!"

"You'll see that she'll explain it easily," said Tony.

"Ah, but, meanwhile, where's your daughter, don't you know?" Rose demanded with resentment.

"I'm just going over to see."

"Then please go!" she replied with a nervous laugh. She presented to the others, as a criticism of his inaction, a white, uneasy face.

"I want first," said Tony, "to express to you my real joy. Please believe in it."

She thought—she seemed to come back from a distance. "Oh, you know?" Then to Paul: "She told you? It's a detail," she added impatiently. "The question"—she thought again—"is the poor child." Once more she appealed to Paul. "Will you go and see?"

"Yes, go, boy." Tony patted his back.