Edward Henry persisted—and this time with an exceedingly impressive and conspiratorial air:
"I tell you another thing you could do—you really could do—and it depends on nobody but yourself."
"Well," she said with decision. "I'll do it."
"Whatever it is?"
"If it's straight."
"Of course it's straight. And it would be a grand way of teasing Mr. Wrissell and all of 'em! A simply grand way! I should die of laughing."
"Well—"
At this critical point the historic conversation was interrupted by phenomena in the hall which Lady Woldo recognized with feverish excitement. Lord Woldo had safely returned from Hyde Park. Starting up, she invited Edward Henry to wait a little. A few moments later they were bending over the infant together, and Edward Henry was offering his views on the cause and cure of rash.
VII
Early on the same afternoon Edward Henry managed by a somewhat excessive obstreperousness to penetrate once more into the private [177] room of Mr. Slosson, senior, who received him in silence.