'And what can old Cannon be about to allow his ward to be tearing about all over London with a man of Reeve's antecedents?'
'What's the matter with his antecedents? I didn't know he had any.'
'Don't interrupt. And Miss Yeo? Where was Miss Yeo, I should like to know?'
'I can't think.'
'A nice way she does her duty as chaperone!'
'Dear, Hyacinth's twenty-three, not a child. Miss Yeo's her companion; but she can't insist, even if she wants to, on following Hyacinth about if she doesn't wish it.'
'She should wish it. Seriously, do you think Sir Charles knows of these goings-on—I mean of this conduct?'
'I shouldn't think he knew the details.'
'Then isn't it my duty as a married man and father of a family—'
Edith concealed a smile by moving the screen.