"This is all very sound," said Edwin, rather struck by Hilda's epigrammatic quality. "But what I ask is--what were you laughing at?"
"Oh, nothing!" said Daisy Marrion.
"Very well then," said Edwin, going to the door and shutting it. "Nobody leaves this room till I know.... Now, niece Elaine!"
Elaine went crimson and squirmed on her only recently hidden legs, but she did not speak.
"Tell him, Daisy," said Janet.
Daisy sat still straighter.
"It was only about Alec Batchgrew, Mr. Clayhanger; I suppose you know him."
Alec was the youngest scion of the great and detested plutocratic family of Batchgrew,--enormously important in his nineteen years.
"Yes, I know him," said Edwin. "I saw him on his new grey horse this morning."
"His 'orse," Janet corrected. They all began to laugh again loudly.