Gay looked round the table, noted the two empty places and started: "But
couldn't--"
"No," said Benton, "we _couldn't_. Some other time."
Gay, about to move away, looked at Dougal. "Say," he said, "what's
become of Fancy Gray? Are you expecting her to-night?"
At the sound of the name Mabel dropped her head on her arms and began to
cry aloud. Her shoulders worked convulsively.
Elsie put her hand round her neck. "Oh, stop, May!" she whispered.
"Don't cry--please!"
Dougal looked at Mabel. His small eyes gleamed as bright and dry as
crystal.
"Don't stop her, Elsie! If anybody _can_ cry, for God's sake, let them
cry!"