Page:The little blue devil (IA littlebluedevil00mackiala).pdf/81

Alison, very much ashamed of herself, went downstairs to lunch. The Professor was there, and marked the drooping corners of her mouth.

"What’s the matter, Kitten?"

"Oh, Winthrop, I’ve been so tactless—such an idiot. I really don’t think I can tell you about it. You see, I was so sorry for him."

"Yes, my dear. I seem to have heard that beginning before."

"Don’t be horrid, dear! And this time it really was my fault, for he’s only a baby, and so helpless, but I’m afraid I’ll have ever so much more difficult a time now, and I’ve only myself to blame, which makes things so much harder."

"Hadn’t you better explain things a little?" said the Professor, who, knowing his wife, understood matters pretty well as it was.

"Yes, I will, of course. . . . You see, Winthrop, he was well enough to talk a little to-day, so we talked for a bit; and oh, by the way, dear, he’s still harping about owing us so much—it’s no use arguing with him, so I told him you would think of some way of his earning a little money—you’ll have to, Winthrop, he’s so worried about it. And he’s had a dreadful life, poor darling; he didn’t tell me much, but he’s always had to look after himself, and he has no relations, and hasn’t been long here, and altogether I was so sorry for him that I—well, I kissed him and petted him for a moment, as I’ve been longing to all the time;