You're not going away after all this time without leaving
a message or something for her, Mr. Burton, surely?"
Burton looked at her across the counter as one might look at some
strange creature from a foreign world, a creature to be pitied, perhaps,
nothing more.
"I am afraid," he said, "that mine was only a chance visit. Pray
remember me to Miss Maud, if you think it would be any satisfaction to
her."
The young woman stared at him.
"My, but you are funny!" she declared. "You were always such a one for
acting! I'll give her your love, never fear. I shall tell her you'll
be round later in the day. On Thursday night, then," she added, turning
to Mr. Waddington, "if I don't see you before, and if you really mean
you're not going to stay for lunch. I'll meet you at the corner as
usual."
Mr. Waddington turned away without apparently noticing the outstretched
hand. He raised his hat, however, most politely. "If I should be
prevented," he began,--The young woman glared at him.
"Look here, I've had enough of this shilly-shallying!" she exclaimed
sharply. "Do you mean taking me out on Thursday or do you not?--because
there's a gentleman who comes in here for his beer most every morning
who's most anxious I should dine out with him my next night off.
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