They were both a little out of breath, they both approached the chair without a smile, the girl in advance, with a certain expression of apprehension in her eyes.

Mr.
Fentolin sighed.

He appeared to notice these things and regret them.
"My child," he said, holding out his hands, "my dear Esther, welcome home again! I heard the car outside.

I am grieved that you did not at once hurry to my side." "I have not been in the house two minutes," Esther replied, "and I haven't seen mother yet.

Forgive me." She had come to a standstill a few yards away.