Excellent mental gymnastics!'
Marian listened to his flow of talk for a few minutes longer,
then took the opportunity of a brief silence to rise and put on
her hat. Jasper observed her, but without rising; he looked at
his sisters in a hesitating way. At length he stood up, and
declared that he too must be off. This coincidence had happened
once before when he met Marian here in the evening.
'At all events, you won't do any more work to-night,' said Dora.
'No; I shall read a page of something or other over a glass of
whisky, and seek the sleep of a man who has done his duty.'
'Why the whisky?' asked Maud.
'Do you grudge me such poor solace?'
'I don't see the need of it.'
'Nonsense, Maud!' exclaimed her sister. 'He needs a little
stimulant when he works so hard.'
Each of the girls gave Marian's hand a significant pressure as
she took leave of them, and begged her to come again as soon as
she had a free evening. There was gratitude in her eyes.
The evening was clear, and not very cold.
'It's rather late for you to go home,' said Jasper, as they left
the house.
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