"Do not let us blame her," said I. "It is just an unfortunate accident. She is not as fond of me as I could wish, Mrs.
Wiggins; and she is a great deal fonder than I could wish of--"I broke off. Mrs. Hilary was walking toward us. I think she was pleased to see me getting on so well with the matron, for she was smiling pleasantly. The matron wore a bewildered expression.
"I suppose," said Mrs. Hilary, "that you'll drive back with the Micklehams?""Unless you want me," said I, keeping a watchful eye on the matron.
"Oh, I don't want you," said Mrs. Hilary lightly.
"You won't be alone this evening?" I asked anxiously.
Mrs. Hilary stared a little.
"O, no!" she said. "We shall have our usual party.""May I come one day next week?" I asked humbly.
Mrs. Hilary thought for a moment.
"I'm so busy next week--come the week after," said she, giving me her hand.
"That's very unkind," said I.
"Nonsense!" said Mrs. Hilary, and she added, "Mind you let me know when you're coming.""I won't surprise you," I assured her, with a covert glance at the matron.
The excellent woman was quite red in the face, and could gasp out nothing but "Goodbye," as Mrs. Hilary affectionately pressed her hand.
At this moment Dolly came up. She was alone.
"Where's Archie?" I asked.
"He's run away; he's got to meet somebody. I knew you'd see me home. Mrs. Hilary didn't want you, of course?""Of course not," said I plaintively.
"Besides, you'd rather come with me, wouldn't you?" pursued Dolly, and she added, pleasantly to the matron, "Mrs. Hilary's so down on him, you know.""I'd much rather come with you," said I.
"We'll have a cozy drive all to ourselves," said Dolly, "without husbands or wives or anything horrid. Isn't it nice to get rid of one's husband sometimes, Mrs. Wiggins?""I have the misfortune to be a widow, Lady Mickleham," said Mrs.
Wiggins.
Dolly's eyes rested upon her with an interesting expression. Iknew that she was about to ask Mrs. Wiggins whether she liked the condition of life, and I interposed hastily, with a sigh:
"But you can look back on a happy marriage, Mrs. Wiggins?""I did my best to make it so," said she stiffly.
"You are right," said I. "Even in the face of unkindness we should strive--""My husband's not unkind," said Dolly.
"I didn't mean your husband," said I.
"What your poor wife would do if she cared a button for you, Idon't know," observed Dolly.
"If I had a wife who cared for me, I should be a better man,"said I solemnly.
"But you'd probably be very dull," said Dolly. "And you wouldn't be allowed to drive with me.""Perhaps it's all for the best," said I, brightening up.
"Goodbye, Mrs. Wiggins."
Dolly walked on. Mrs. Wiggins held my hand for a moment.
"Young man," said she sternly, "are you sure it's not your own fault?""I'm not at all sure, Mrs. Wiggins," said I. "But don't be distressed about it. It's of no consequence. I don't let it make me unhappy. Goodbye; so many thanks. Charming girls you have here--especially that one in the fifth--I mean, charming, all of them. Goodbye."I hastened to the carriage. Mrs. Wiggins stood and watched. Igot in and sat down by Dolly.
"Oh, Mrs. Wiggins," said Dolly, dimpling, "don't tell Mrs. Hilary that Archie wasn't with us, or we shall get into trouble." And she added to me, "Are you all right?""Rather!" said I appreciatively; and we drove off, leaving Mrs.
Wiggins on her doorstep.
A fortnight later I went to call on Mrs. Hilary. After some conversation she remarked:
"I'm going to the school again tomorrow."
"Really!" said I.
"And I'm so delighted--I've persuaded Hilary to come."She paused, and then added:
"You really seemed interested last time."
"Oh, I was."
"Would you like to come again tomorrow?"
"No, I think not, thanks," said I carelessly.
"That's just like you!" she said severely. "You never do any real good because you never stick to anything.""There are some things one can't stick to," said I.
"Oh, nonsense!" said Mrs. Hilary.
But there are--and I didn't go.
