As Sir Jasper walked down the street, his elder sister-in-law emerged from a tamarisk-flanked gateway. ‘This is our new abode, Jasper,’ she said. ‘Come in and see what you think of it! Well, have you had any success?’
He explained how the letter could be traced to Mr. Stebbing’s house, and then consulted her whether to let all come out at the examination before the magistrates, or to induce the Stebbings to drop the prosecution.
‘It would serve them right if it all came out in public,’ she said.
‘But would it be well?’
‘One must not be vindictive! And to drag poor Kalliope to Avoncester would be a dreadful business in her mother’s state. Besides, Frank Stebbing is young, and it may be fair to give them a chance of hushing it up. I ought to be satisfied with clearing Alexis.’
‘Then I will go to the house. When shall I be likely to find Mr. Stebbing!’
‘Just after luncheon, I should say.’
‘And shall I take the lawyer?’
‘I should say not. If they hope to keep the thing secret, they will be the more amenable, but you should have the two boys within reach. Let us ask for them to come up after their dinner to Beechcroft. No, it must not be to dinner. Petros must not be sent to the kitchen, and Ada would expire if the other came to us! Now, do you like to see your house? Here is Macrae dying to see you.’
The old soldier had changed his quarters too often to be keenly interested in any temporary abode, provided it would hold the requisite amount of children, and had a pleasant sitting-room for his Lily, but he inspected politely and gratefully, and had a warmly affectionate interview with Macrae, who had just arrived with a great convoy of needfuls from Silverfold, and who undertook to bring up and guard the two boys from any further impertinences that might excite Master Grove’s pugnacity.