She knew this was unfair to Micky, but she knew that Micky would understand--Micky always understood.
But Micky frowned over the letter. Did she imagine he enjoyed sitting down here doing nothing? What pleasure did she suppose he was getting out of the whole thing?
He threw the letter into the fire. Something ought to happen to-morrow, anyway. The last two days had seemed like months.
To kill time he went round to the Delands. He felt a little nervous as he reached the house. It seemed an unconscionable time since he was last here. When the butler opened the door he felt an insane desire to say, "Good evening, Jessop! You're still here, then." Such a decade ago it seemed since Jessop had been wont to admit him without question and take his hat and coat.
But Jessop did not smile to-night, and did not move back an inch when he saw who was the caller.
"No, sir; the mistress and the young ladies are all out, sir...."
"Oh!" There was a little silence; then Micky turned on his heel. "Well, good-night!" he said jerkily.
He walked away, not sure if he was relieved or disappointed. A few yards down the road he almost cannoned into a man he knew.
"Hullo, Micky! Not coming my way? I'm going to the Delands. What's up with you? Haven't seen you for a week or more."
"I've been seedy," Micky said hurriedly. "And the Delands are out. I've just called there myself."
"Eh?" Philips tried hard to see his face through the darkness. "Rot," he said at last. "They've got a musical evening on--I had a special invite."
Micky said nothing. This was a nasty blow; apparently the Delands were only "not at home" to him. Jove! he must have behaved caddishly. He walked on feeling very subdued. Had he quite lost his wits, he wondered, that for the sake of a girl who would have none of him he was willing to offend all his old friends? He tried to look at his behaviour from Marie Deland's point of view. Yes, it must look pretty rotten, he was forced to admit.
He thought about it all the time he walked home. He asked himself honestly if this new game was worth the candle.
Already she had shown him that she cared nothing for him or his friendship, and yet--yet---- Micky set his teeth. He had never wanted anything really badly in all his life before, but now he wanted this girl.