Part 36 (1/2)
”You forget that I have had a tiring day, and perhaps you hardly realize whose conduct has tired me. Good-night.”
”Good-night,” he replied in an unimpa.s.sioned voice.
As the widow ascended she told herself that she had adopted entirely the right att.i.tude. She might relent to-morrow, but till then it was well he should be deprived of the suns.h.i.+ne of her smiles.
Next morning at the hour of 10:15 she stepped out of the lift to find Jean waiting in the hall. She greeted Mrs. Dunbar with a markedly composed air.
”I hope you won't mind breakfasting alone?” she said.
It was evident that the widow did mind.
”Do you mean to say your father has actually breakfasted without me?”
”Unfortunately, he had to.”
”Had to!”
”He and Frank found they must catch the ten o'clock train.”
Mrs. Dunbar gasped.
”He--has gone?”
”Yes.”
”But he promised to go with me!”
”I understood him to say,” said Jean quietly, ”that he had merely promised to go north.”
”Oh, indeed! Then he has run away?”
”From whom?” asked Jean demurely.
The widow bit her lip.
”I consider his conduct simply disgraceful--”
Jean interrupted her quickly--
”I had rather not discuss my father's conduct. Don't let me keep you from breakfast.”
Mrs. Dunbar remained standing in silence, a magnificent statue of displeasure. In a moment she inquired--
”And why are you waiting here?”
”Father thought you might like my company on the journey.”
”How very thoughtful of him! Then you go at two?”