However, he and Aylmer continued to talk over books and pictures, Coniston hanging on his lips as though afraid of missing or forgetting a word he said.
Presently Edith told Aylmer about their new friend, Madame Frabelle. He was very curious to see her.
'What is she like?' he asked. 'I can't imagine her living with you. Is she a skeleton at the feast?'
'A skeleton!' exclaimed Coniston. 'Good heavens—no! Quite the contrary.'
'A skeleton who was always feasting would hardly remain one long,' suggested Edith.
'Anyhow,' said Aylmer, 'the cupboard is the proper place for a skeleton.'
Archie had joined the group round Aylmer. Edith sat in a corner for some time, chatting with Dulcie. They arranged that Bruce was to call the next day, and Edith and Madame Frabelle the day after.
When they went away Archie, who had listened very closely to the conversation, said:
'What a lot of manners Mr Coniston has! What did he mean by saying that
Spanish painters painted a man in a gramophone?'
Edith racked her brain to remember the sentence. Then she said, with a laugh: