Malcolm felt rather a twinge of conscience as he replied that he feared this was impossible; he had some literary work on hand, which he intended to do at Staplegrove.

Mrs.Keston was able to spare him a nice room, which he could use as a study; and so he had made his arrangements.

And then he added rather regretfully that, as he was going to the Manor House the following afternoon, he feared that he should not see them again.

Mrs.Herrick said no more, she was not a woman to waste words unnecessarily; but she was undoubtedly much disappointed, and even a little hurt, and for the moment Anna looked grave.

At dinnertime she made an effort to recover her spirits, and questioned Malcolm about his new acquaintances at the Wood House; and on this occasion he was less reticent.
But it was not until his mother had left them alone together that he told Anna of Elizabeth's kind invitation.
A surprised flush came to the girl's face.
"Do you think you could possibly manage it, dear ?" he asked with brotherly solicitude.