“He must put himself right.”
“Do you mean, prove what he says?”
“Well, at any rate, show he had good excuse for saying it.”
“I think it’s a little hard. But it’s for you to decide.”
Mr. Pocklington nodded.
“Then, that’s settled,” said Mrs. Pocklington. “It’s a great comfort, Robert, to have a man who knows his mind on the premises.”
“Be gentle with her,” said he, and returned to the strike.
The other parties to the encounter over George’s merits had by a natural impulse taken themselves to Neaera Witt’s, with the hope of being thanked for their holy zeal. They were disappointed, for, on arriving at Albert Mansions, they were informed that Neaera, although returned from Liverpool, was not visible. “Mr. Neston has been waiting over an hour to see her, miss,” said Neaera’s highly respectable handmaid, “but she won’t leave her room.”
Gerald heard their voices, and came out.
“I can’t think what’s the matter,” he said.