"I should take care not to put her in the way of a bad man," with dignity.
"You would prevent her meeting him? Exactly; then why act differently when it is someone you like? However, there is time for that. There is another matter. Do you know anything of Mr. Pelham's household?"
"No, nothing."
"The Bishop likes him, thinks him a great acquisition, and he visits at Oldstead. I had him to dinner, and he and Charity sang nicely. I'm not sure," looking wise, "that there isn't something between——However, he sent his baby to see me this morning—a most wilful, spoilt little thing. That nurse will not do at all."
"You share Sandy's opinion."
"Ah! I heard your boys had taken to the baby. Perhaps that was what made her so tiresome this morning. I warned Mr. Pelham what mischiefs they were," candidly. "But the nurse is insufferable. Dressed in a sort of dove-coloured dress and a hat, and all her hair waved—kid gloves, and an embroidered skirt under her dress. I asked her if Mr. Pelham had given her leave to dress like that."
"A man does not notice," said Mrs. Bethune, glad that Marjorie was not by to comment.
"I told her that I should speak to him, as she did not seem to realise her own duty, and also about the child's dress. It was ridiculous."
"A man could not know," suggested Mrs. Bethune.