Page:The little blue devil (IA littlebluedevil00mackiala).pdf/99

“Oh, are you going out again?”

“Yes, in a few minutes I must.”

“Don’t go.”

“Oh, but I’ve promised, Tony.”

“Do you want to go?”

“No—yes! That’s very rude of me. Yes, I do want to go, because they’re nice people, and I’ve got a new hat that’s rather becoming, but you know I would rather stay here with you and talk.”

“Then don’t go. It’s quite easy.”

“I’m afraid I must, dear. I’m sorry, but it is more amusing for you out here than if I were leaving you in bed with nothing to look at, isn’t it? You’ve been awfully good, Little Boy, all the time—so patient—and I know how dull it has been for you.”

“No, it hasn’t. I’ve learnt a lot.”

“Well, that’s a good thing, but you’ll learn even more now you’re beginning to get about again. I shall find out from Dr. Wakeham to-morrow just how soon you may go for a drive; you don’t know Philadelphia a bit yet, do you?—so I shall take you in charge, and we’ll go to everything there is that’s interesting. Shall you like that?”

“Yes, thank you, very much.”

(He could not say less, and his tone was quite expressionless; yet she knew he would like it very much indeed. However, she had resolved not to let her imagination run away with her, and it was nearly three o’clock.)

“Now, old man, I really must go and dress.”

“Don’t go.” He spoke just as stolidly as before, but now his eyes beseeched her. She said hurriedly:

“I truly must, dear. The Wallaces are real friends of mine, and they’re expecting me and have people coming they want me to meet.”

“Well—” this with an effort which gave it weight and