“No. I never thought of it. Very good, Lilian my seraph. Now I see the point of that extra smart remark just now. What do you think, Mrs Upward? she said this place must have been named after me.”
“They’re very rude children, both of them,” was the laughing reply. “But I can’t sympathise. I’m afraid you make them worse.”
A wild crow went up from the two delinquents. Campian shook his head gravely.
“After that we had better change the subject,” he said. “By the way, Upward, old Bhallu Khan went through an extraordinary performance this morning. I want you to tell me the interpretation thereof.”
“Was he saying his prayers? Have another chikór, old chap?”
“No—not his prayers. Thanks, I will. They eat rather better than they shoot. Nesta and I were deep in the discussion of scientific and other matters—”
“Oh, yes.”
This from Lily, meaningly.
“Lilian, dearest. If you can tell the story better than I can”—with grave reproach.
“Never mind—go on—go on”—rapped out the delinquent.