But if they had been an hour late Dinah would have greeted them with the same kind smile, and hoped that they were not tired.
That evening they sat out on the terrace again; but to Malcolm's chagrin and disappointment, Elizabeth declared that her long day at Rotherwood had deprived her of all voice for singing.

"I have been shouting to the children all the morning," she observed, "and reading to deaf old women all the afternoon, and my vocal chord has suffered," and then she challenged Cedric to take a stroll with her; but to Malcolm's vexation the invitation was not extended to him.

"Dinah has been alone, we must not all leave her," she said so pointedly that he had no choice in the matter.

But he was secretly chafed by this treatment, for Malcolm was one of those men who object to be managed.
"I wonder, if Carlyon had been in my place, if my Lady Elizabeth would have ordered him to remain behind," he thought.

But Dinah's first words healed this soreness.
"My sister has kindly made this opportunity for me by taking Cedric off our hands," she said gently.