THE JOYS OF HOME Monica and her husband, on leaving the house in Queen's Road, walked slowly in the eastward direction.

Though night had fallen, the air was not unpleasant; they had no object before them, and for five minutes they occupied themselves with their thoughts.

Then Widdowson stopped.
'Shall we go home again ?' he asked, just glancing at Monica, then letting his eyes stray vaguely in the gloom.
'I should like to see Milly, but I'm afraid I can hardly take you there to call with me.' 'Why not ?' 'It's a very poor little sitting-room, you know, and she might have some friend.

Isn't there anywhere you could go, and meet me afterwards ?' Frowning, Widdowson looked at his watch.
'Nearly six o'clock.

There isn't much time.' 'Edmund, suppose you go home, and let me come back by myself?
You wouldn't mind, for once?
I should like so much to have a talk with Milly.