"You needn't put it right on," said Georgina soothingly. Abruptly Miss Mayne yielded. The affair threatened to develop into a scene; she felt self-conscious and embarrassed.
"Very well," she consented, and held out her hand to Jane. "Put it on the tip, it's too small for me to wear."
Jane complied, but Cornelius James intervened and pounced on her extended finger. "No, no," he cried, "properly! You must have all the luck!" and thrust the gold circle over her knuckle.
Miss Mayne tugged at it unavailingly. The blush had gone and a look of annoyance creased her brows. "It won't come off," she murmured.
"Never mind," said Graeme; "don't worry. We'll have tea, and then Mrs. Mackworth shall bring you some soap and warm water. Tea's ready now."
"I'd rather——" began the girl, and stopped. She had made enough fuss over the wretched thing, she decided. "Very well," she said reluctantly, and they descended to the dining-room, and the Gargantuan repast Graeme had prepared.
As the meal progressed, the friendly relations Graeme had established with the children increased to something approaching intimacy. Miss Mayne's annoyance disappeared and her whimsy of a smile returned. The incident of the ring was forgotten, and no one mentioned it. Only she remained somehow conscious of it as she sat with her hand unobtrusively concealed from view upon her lap.
Tea was nearing its conclusion when the butler entered and approached Graeme's chair.
"The two Miss Smedleys, sir, have called. I said her Ladyship was away, but they said, if they might, they'd like to see you for a minute."
"See me!" groaned the victim. "Oh, who wouldn't sell his little farm and go to sea? Why do they want to see me?"