“I have had the pleasure of meeting Miss Mackenzie; I hope she has not forgotten me.”
“Judith never forgets. Will you let her go around and browse while we have our drive? Judith, you don’t mind staying alone?”
“It is not a very nice place for a lady to stay in,” the bachelor housekeeper hastened to say; “I fear I forget when sweeping-day comes, and I always forget to wash the dishes.”
“Judith will do that for you. Don’t forget, Judith,” he warned.
“The woman who comes once a week is ill, and has not been here for two weeks; I am really ashamed to have Miss Judith come into the house.”
“She isn’t ashamed, she likes it. Give her your hand, Dick, and help her out; I must hold Daisy.”
Judith stepped down and stood beside the linen duster and gray hat, fervently wishing she had stayed at home.
“Roger, how long will you be gone?” she inquired, faint-heartedly.
“Till supper-time—we have business on hand—if you don’t have supper ready for us I’ll lose you on the way home.”
“There’s bread in the house, and butter and milk and eggs—but the dishes—,” excused the embarrassed housekeeper.
“Trust a girl to wash dishes. Will you wear that duster?”
“I have a coat under it. Wait until I show Miss Judith in; my study is the only fit place.”
“Show her the kitchen, there’s where you need a visitor.”
“The front door is locked,” apologized Mr. King. “I am sorry to take you to the back hall door.”
Judith’s courtesy and kindliness failed her; Roger deserved a scolding for bringing her to such a forlorn place; what could she do with herself two or three hours?
The doorway into which she was shown led into a narrow carpeted hall; the study door stood open; books in book-cases, on the floor, on a table, books and dust, a coat on a chair; the light from two windows streamed in.
“If you care for books you will find something to do—the latest magazines are somewhere. My housekeeper had to leave suddenly, and to get another has been impossible. I wish I might make you comfortable. I’d like to put Kenney under the pump for bringing you. Would you rather I would take you to a neighbor?” he asked, brightening.
“Oh, no; I like it—I shall like it,—here, in a few minutes,” she said with fervent kindliness.
“Don’t get us any supper; Mr. Kenney was only joking,” he added as he disappeared.