Charles could tell from the way his mother was looking at him that the jig was up. He should have known she would catch him out, she was far too shrewd and he ought to have known better. If he didn't come clean now though she'd probably be less inclined to keep his daughter for even the brief period that he was requesting.
He looked away sheepishly as he made his noncommittal response. "I'm not altogether sure, Mama." Fearing he wasn't being honest enough, he continued, "I suspect it may be some time." He couldn't meet her eyes at all now, afraid that he would see disappointment or anger there.
He looked away sheepishly as he made his noncommittal response. "I'm not altogether sure, Mama." Fearing he wasn't being honest enough, he continued, "I suspect it may be some time." He couldn't meet her eyes at all now, afraid that he would see disappointment or anger there.
