"But you--you--?"
"I'll ask."
She flew on winged feet and explained excitedly.
"Tonight? _Tonight_, Jean?"
"Yes, Daddy."
"But what time is it?"
"Only ten. He'll come at eleven--"
"But you can't leave Emily alone, dear."
"Emily won't mind--darling--will you, Emily?"
"Of course not. I am often alone."
It was said quietly, without bitterness, but Dr. McKenzie was quite
suddenly and unreasonably moved by the thought of all that Emily had
missed. He felt it utterly unfair that she should sit alone by an
empty hearth while he and Jean frivolled. He had never thought of
Hilda by an empty hearth--and she had been often alone--but there was
this which made the difference, he would not have asked Hilda to meet
his daughter's friends. She had her place in his household, but it was
not the place which Emily filled.
Yet he missed her. He missed her blond picturesqueness at the dinner
table, her trim whiteness as she served him in his office.
He came back to the question of Emily. "You can tell Drake we will go,
if Emily can accompany us."
"But, Doctor, I'd rather not."
"Why not?"
"I'm not included in the invitation.
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