CHAPTER XII. THE SHOWER

Ishan’tstaytwominutes.” “You’llbothstaywhilethisshowergetsowered,”saidNancy,asshestirredthefire,andplacedanotherchairbesideit“what!there’sroomforall.” “Icanseebetterhere,thankyou,Nancy,”repliedI,takingmyworktothewindow,whereshehadthegoodnesstosuffermetoremainunmolested,whileshegotabrushtoremovethecat’shairsfromMr.Weston’scoat,carefullywipedtherainfromhishat,andgavethecatitssupper,busilytalkingallthetime:nowthankingherclericalfriendforwhathehaddonenowwonderinghowthecathadfoundoutthewarrenandnowlamentingtheprobableconsequencesofsuchadiscovery.Helistenedwithaquiet,good-naturedsmile,andatlengthtookaseatincompliancewithherpressinginvitations,butrepeatedthathedidnotmeantostay. “Ihaveanotherplacetogoto,”saidhe,“andIsee”(glancingatthebookonthetable)“someoneelsehasbeenreadingtoyou.” “Yes,sirMissGreyhasbeenaskindasreadmeachapteran’nowshe’shelpingmewithashirtforourBill—butI’mfearedshe’llbecoldthere.Won’tyoucometoth’fire,Miss?” “No,thankyou,Nancy,I’mquitewarm.Imustgoassoonasthisshowerisover.” “Oh,Miss!Yousaidyoucouldstopwhiledusk!”criedtheprovokingoldwoman,andMr.Westonseizedhishat. “Nay,sir,”exclaimedshe,“praydon’tgonow,whileitrainssofast.” “ButitstrikesmeI’mkeepingyourvisitorawayfromthefire.” “No,you’renot,Mr.Weston,”repliedI,hopingtherewa