George went driving the next afternoon alone, and, encountering Lucy and her father on the road, in one of Morgan's cars, lifted his hat, but nowise relaxed his formal countenance as they passed.

Eugene waved a cordial hand quickly returned to the steering-wheel; but Lucy only nodded gravely and smiled no more than George did.

Nor did she accompany Eugene to the Major's for dinner, the following Sunday evening, though both were bidden to attend that feast, which was already reduced in numbers and gayety by the absence of George Amberson.

Eugene explained to his host that Lucy had gone away to visit a school-friend.
The information, delivered in the library, just before old Sam's appearance to announce dinner, set Miss Minafer in quite a flutter.
"Why, George!" she said, turning to her nephew.

"How does it happen you didn't tell us ?" And with both hands opening, as if to express her innocence of some conspiracy, she exclaimed to the others, "He's never said one word to us about Lucy's planning to go away!" "Probably afraid to," the Major suggested.