Nevertheless, there was something troubled in the atmosphere, and even Dinah seemed to find it difficult to talk.
Malcolm raged inwardly over his disappointment, but he had too much tact to prolong his visit.

He was rewarded for his forbearance when Dinah said in her gentle way, "I am afraid we are rather stupid to-night, Mr.Herrick; Elizabeth is tired, and--and--we have been talking for hours; if you look in to-morrow afternoon we will promise to behave better." But though Elizabeth did not endorse this, Malcolm accepted this invitation with undisguised pleasure.
But his satisfaction would have been sadly damped if he had overheard Elizabeth's speech.

"Why did you ask him, Die?
You know"-- hesitating a moment--" that I like to be quiet on my birthday." "He looked so dull," returned Dinah apologetically; "I think we depressed him.

I am very sorry, dear; I ought to have found out your wishes first.

But he will not stay long unless we ask him." Elizabeth made no answer to this; she looked thoughtful and a little troubled, and Dinah felt she had done the wrong thing.