, but could not dismiss him without shaking hands.
That he did not offer to do so until invited, though he betrayed no
sense of social inferiority, seemed another point in his favour.

CHAPTER IV

Not half an hour after Cobb's departure Louise returned. Emmeline
was surprised to see her back so soon; they met near the railway
station as Mrs. Mumford was on her way to a shop in High Street.

'Isn't it good of me! If I had stayed longer I should have gone home
to quarrel with Cissy; but I struggled against the temptation. Going
to the grocer's? Oh, do let me go with you, and see how you do that
kind of thing. I never gave an order at the grocer's in my life--no,
indeed I never did. Mother and Cissy have always looked after
that. And I want to learn about housekeeping; you promised to teach
me.'

Emmeline made no mention of Mr. Cobb's call until they reached the
house.

'He came here!' Louise exclaimed, reddening. 'What impudence! I
shall at once write and tell him that his behaviour is outrageous.
Am I to be hunted like this?'

Her wrath seemed genuine enough; but she was vehemently eager to
learn all that had passed. Emmeline made a truthful report.

'You're quite sure that was all? Oh, his impertinence! Well, and now
that you've seen him, don't you understand how--how impossible it
is?'

'I shall say nothing more about it, Louise. It isn't my business
to--'

The girl's face threatened a tempest. As Emmeline was moving away,
she rudely obstructed her.

'I insist on you telling me what you think. It was abominable of him
to come when I wasn't at home; and I don't think you ought to have
seen him. You've no right to keep your thoughts to yourself!'

Mrs. Mumford was offended, and showed it.

'I have a perfect right, and I shall do so. Please don't let us
quarrel. You may be fond of it, but I am not.'

Louise went from the room and remained invisible till just before
dinner, when she came down with a grave and rather haughty
countenance. To Mumford's remarks she replied with curt formality;
he, prepared for this state of things, began conversing cheerfully
with his wife, and Miss Derrick kept silence. After dinner, she
passed out into the garden.

'It won't do,' said Mumford. 'The house is upset. I'm afraid we
shall have to get rid of her.'

'If she can't behave herself, I'm afraid we must. It's my fault. I
ought to have known that it would never do.'

At half-past ten, Louise was still sittin