"Are you coming to church this afternoon ?" Ruth replied that she was not, and Mr.Alwynn and Charles departed together, Charles ruefully remembering that he had still to ask advice on a subject the triviality of which would hardly allow of two opinions.
Ruth watched them walk away together, and then went back noiselessly into the drawing-room.
Mrs.Alwynn was sitting bolt upright, her feet upon the floor, her gown upon the sofa.

Her astonished eyes were fixed upon the dwindling figures of Mr.Alwynn and Charles.
"Goodness, Ruth!" she exclaimed, "who is that white waistcoat walking with your uncle ?" Ruth explained.
"Dear me! And as likely as not he came to see the new screen.

I know Mrs.Thursby tells everybody about it.

And his own house so full of beautiful things too.

Was ever anything so annoying! We should have had so much in common, for I hear his taste is quite--well, really quite out of the way.