Читать книгу The Passionate Quest онлайн

49 страница из 87

Matthew rose slowly to his feet.

"Have you had anything to eat to-day, Rosina?" he demanded.

"Some tea and bread and butter for lunch," she answered. "But I'm not hungry," she added eagerly. "I am really not hungry. I don't seem to need much food."

"Was Philip here for lunch?"

"Yes, he was here," she admitted. "Mrs. Heath sent up what she called one portion of some sort of beef. Philip said it wasn't bad. I couldn't touch it."

"Put on your hat," Matthew directed. "You and I will go out and get some dinner."

"What about Philip?" she asked hesitatingly.

"Leave a note for him, if you want to," was the indifferent reply.

"But Philip has no money," she reminded him, "and Mrs. Heath won't let us have anything unless it is paid for. You can see by the book that I haven't quite settled last week's account."

Matthew, with obvious reluctance, produced a shilling.

"You can leave this with the note," he said. "Get ready at once, please. I didn't have beef for lunch, and I like my dinner punctually."