John's Square she soon found an urchin who would
run an errand for her. He was to take this note to a house that she
indicated, and to ask if Mr. Kirkwood was working there. She
scarcely durst hope to see the messenger returning with empty hands,
but he did so. A terrible throbbing at her heart, she went home
again.
In the evening, when her father returned, she surprised him by
saying that she expected a visitor.
'Do you want me to go out of the way?' he asked, eager to submit to
her in everything.
'No. I've asked my friend to come to Mrs. Hollsnd's. I thought there
would be no great harm. I shall go down just before nine o'clock.'
'Oh no, there's no harm,' conceded her father. 'It's only if the
neighbours opposite got talkin' to them when they come back.'
'I can't help it. They won't mind. I can't help it.'
John noticed her agitated repetition, the impatience with which she
flung aside difficulties.
'Clara--it ain't anything about work, my dear?'
'No, father. I wouldn't do anything without telling you; I've
promised.'
'Then I don't care; it's all right.'
She had begun to speak immediately on his entering the room, and so
it happened that he had not kissed her as he always did at
home-coming.
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