“Miss Humfray, I have one thing to say to you, no more. No explanations, no excuses, please. I hear you have been trying to entertain my son in the nursery this evening. If that, or anything like it, occurs again—You understand?”
“Mrs. Chater—”
A massive hand signalled Stop. “I said 'not a word.' That is all. Good night.”
And Mary, crimson, to her room.