In the hall she met
Reginald, just turned out of Maurice's workshop, and much at a loss
for employment.
'Redgie,' said she, 'you can do me a great kindness.'
'If it is not a bore,' returned Reginald.
'I only want you to walk with me to South End.'
'Eh?' said Reginald; 'I thought the little Misses were too delicate
to put their dear little proboscises outside the door.'
'That is the reason I ask you; I do not think Emily or Jane would
like it, and it is too far for Claude. Those poor old Martins have
not got their broth, and there is no one to fetch it for them.'
'Then do not be half an hour putting on your things.'
'Thank you; and do not run off, and make me spend an hour in hunting
for you, and then say that I made you wait.'
'I will wait fast enough. You are not so bad as Emily,' said
Reginald, while Lily ran upstairs to equip herself. When she came
down, she was glad to find her escort employed in singeing the end of
the tail of the old rocking-horse at the fire in the hall, so that
she was not obliged to seek him in the drawing-room, where her plans
would probably have met with opposition. She had, however,
objections to answer from an unexpected quarter.
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