George started. “It is nothing,” he explained. “One of those shivers; that is all.”
Miss Ram bowed. “'Miss Mary Humfray; aged 21; only child of the late Colonel Humfray, Indian Army; references from former employer not good, but with extenuating circumstances.'”
“I think she might suit,” George said. “She—she—” he groped wildly—“she is the daughter of a colonel.”
“So were four others.”
George wiped his brow. “The—the only daughter.”
“You consider that a merit?”
“My uncle would. He has curious ideas. He is himself an only child.”
Miss Ram stared. George had the prescience of trouble, but could not find it. “Oh, yes,” he said, “oh, yes.”
“Fifteen brothers and twelve sis—”
George saw the gaping pit; sprang from it. “Has an only child,” he corrected. “Has, not is.”