Now, will you be so good as to tell me why you have
never been to see us?"
"I have been nowhere," he answered. "My work has claimed my
undivided attention."
"Nonsense," she answered. "You have been living for a year within a
shilling cab ride of us, and you have not once even called. I really
wonder that I am sitting here with you, as though prepared to forgive
you. Do you know that I have written you three times asking you to come
to tea?"
He turned a very white face upon her.
"Won't you understand," he said, "that I have been engrossed in a work
which would admit of no distractions?
"You could find time to go down to Medchester, and make speeches for
your friend Mr. Bullsom," she answered.
"That was different. I was deeply indebted to Mr. Bullsom, and anxious
to see him returned. That, too, was work. It is only pleasures which I
have denied myself."
"That," she remarked, "is the nicest--in fact, the only nice thing you
have said. You have changed since Enton."
"I have been through a good deal," he said, wearily.
She shuddered a little.
"Don't look like that," she exclaimed.
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