“Good. Well, now, may I see them tubbed?”
“I have told you I would rather not.”
“Dash it all, Miss Humfray, you're rather unkind, aren't, you? Here have I been away nearly two years—I've been travelling on the Continent for the firm-you know that, don't you?”
She said she had heard Mr. and Mrs. Chater talking of it.
“Well, and yet you won't let me come near my darling little sister and my sweet little brother to tell 'em all about it?”
“But I'm not keeping you from them, Mr. Chater. You have had plenty of time.”
“Time! Why, I only got back yesterday!”
“You have been in here this afternoon.”
“Ah, they were shy. They're better when you are here.”
She had finished her task, and she turned to him. “Mr. Chater, you know I could not keep David and Angela from you even if I dreamed of doing such a thing. Only, I say I would rather you did not come in while I bath them, that is all.”