"
So far as was possible she kept her back to him.
The continued slight pricked him. His voice hardened. "When I have the
grace to apologise, I think you might have the grace to accept it."
Mary said in low tones: "If you meant only to make them laugh, of
course I believe you. It is all right."
"Good. Well, now, may I see them tubbed?"
"I have told you I would rather not."
"Dash it all, Miss Humfray, you're rather unkind, aren't, you? Here
have I been away nearly two years--I've been travelling on the
Continent for the firm-you know that, don't you?"
She said she had heard Mr. and Mrs. Chater talking of it.
"Well, and yet you won't let me come near my darling little sister and
my sweet little brother to tell 'em all about it?"
"But I'm not keeping you from them, Mr. Chater. You have had plenty of
time."
"Time! Why, I only got back yesterday!"
"You have been in here this afternoon."
"Ah, they were shy. They're better when you are here."
She had finished her task, and she turned to him. "Mr. Chater, you
know I could not keep David and Angela from you even if I dreamed of
doing such a thing. Only, I say I would rather you did not come in
while I bath them, that is all."
"Yes, but why?"
"Mrs. Chater would not like it for one thing, I feel sure.
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