and see you very soon.'

On her way up the short drive to the house Bridget came face to face
with Randolph.

'Oh, you're there, are you?' he said. 'Mamma was just asking if you'd
come in, so I came to look out for you.'

Biddy was silent. This did not seem very like mamma's 'not caring,' as
she had been saying to Celestina.

'It isn't late,' she remarked at last. 'Mamma said I might stay half an
hour.'

'She was beginning to worry about you a little, all the same,' said
Rough. 'Were you with the little Fairchild girl?'

'Yes,' said Biddy.

'Is she a nice little girl?' asked Rough.

'Yes,' said Biddy again.

'Then why don't you like her? Why are you so cross?' asked her brother.

'I'm not cross, and I never said I didn't like her,' replied Bridget
impatiently.

Rough began to whistle.