Page:The Tsar's Window.djvu/125

 "I don't say that," I answered impatiently, tapping my heels on the floor. "Why did we come here instead of stopping to look at the pictures?"

"Because you preferred to come down," he responded, with a touch of annoyance.

"Ah, here is Vasili!" I cried. "If you do not mind," turning to Mr. Thurber, "I will take you with me in the sledge. It is extremely improper, but if I wrap my collar well about my face, no one will know that I am not Grace; and a married woman may do anything she likes."

"I believe no one cares enough about me to criticise me," he replied, stepping into the sledge after me.

"It seems absurd for us not to go together when our destination is the same."

Reaching home, we found the family sitting over the remains of luncheon, George bearing them company. I fell to at once, with a good appetite.

Suddenly Tom exclaimed, "By the way, how did you and Thurber happen to arrive at the same instant?"

"Because we came in the same sledge, I suppose," I answered calmly.

"No!" cried Tom. "I wonder you were not afraid Thurber would run away with you."

"Don't try to be funny," I responded, peacefully eating my kalatch. "Mr. Thurber has had no lunch. Why don't you offer him some tea?"

"Will you give it to him?" said Grace. "Judith and I have to go out, and Vasili is waiting."

"I will"; and I approached the samovar, while Grace