Patty looked confused, stroked her dress, and gave a little cough.

"But if it rains--as it very likely will--there's no use in my
coming"

"No, she said not."

"Or if her headache is still troubling her----"

"Let's hope it will be better. But--in any case, she'll be able to
come with me to Birmingham on Monday, when I go back I must be home
again on Monday night."

"Don't you think," said Hilliard carelessly, "that Eve would rather
have you to herself, just for the short time you are here?"

Patty made vigorous objection.

"I don't think that at all. It's quite settled that you are to come
over to-morrow, if it's fine. Oh, and I _do_ hope it will be! It
would be so dreadful to be shut up in the house all day at Dudley.
How very awkward that there's no place where she can have you there!
If it rains, hadn't we better come here? I'm sure it would be better
for Eve. She seems to get into such low spirits--just like she was
sometimes in London."

"That's quite news to me," said the listener gravely.

"Doesn't she let you know? Then I'm so sorry I mentioned it. You
won't tell her I said anything?"