Esmeralda looked at him, and then at Varley Howard.
“That will be jolly,” she said. “You’d like to go to England, wouldn’t you, Varley?”
“Mr. Pinchook doesn’t propose to take me,” said Varley.
“You mean that he wants to take me alone? Then I sha’n’t go!” She sat herself down on the chair, and leaned back with her hands folded over the stocking in her lap, with a fixed air of determination.
Mr. Pinchook coughed, and looked rather disconcerted.
“My dear young lady—” he began.
“You might talk until you were black in the face,” said Esmeralda, calmly, “but I shouldn’t go without Varley. You can keep the money.”
Mr. Pinchook was about to recommence his remonstrance, but Varley Howard signed to him to be silent.
“There’s a lovely view from just outside the hut, Mr. Pinchook,” he said. That gentleman took the hint, and retired, and Varley Howard seated himself on the box and leaned forward.