'
They were silent, and Baruch, affecting to study a Rollin's Ancient
History, wondered, especially when he called to mind Mrs Caffyn's
report, what this girl's history could have been. He presently
recovered himself, and it occurred to him that he ought to give some
reason why he had called. Before, however, he was able to offer any
excuse, Clara closed her book.
'Now, it is right,' she said, 'and I am ready.'
Just at that moment Barnes appeared, hot with hurrying.
'Very sorry, Miss Hopgood, to ask you to stay for a few minutes. I
recollected after I left that the doctor particularly wanted those
books sent off to-night. I should not like to disappoint him. I
have been to the booking-office, and the van will be here in about
twenty minutes. If you will make out the invoice and check me, I
will pack them.'
'I will be off,' said Madge. 'The shop will be shut if I do not make
haste.'
'You are not going alone, are you?' said Baruch. 'May I not go with
you, and cannot we both come back for your sister?'
'It is very kind of you.'
Clara looked up from her desk, watched them as they went out at the
door and, for a moment, seemed lost. Barnes turned round.
'Now, Miss Hopgood.' She started.
'Yes, sir.'
'Fabricius, J. A. Bibliotheca Ecclesiastica in qua continentur.'
'I need not put in the last three words.'
'Yes, yes.' Barnes never liked to be corrected in a title.
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