Cuthbert drew in his breath sharply.
"Oh, Cuthbert, you aren't well."
"It's the bandage," he said. "Montgomery is a bit of an idiot about bandaging. I told him so. Doesn't give a fellow room to breathe."
He became testy in his manner.
"You oughtn't to have all run away like that, like a lot of children. Old Dudgeon will be sniffing round to see how much money there is in our furniture, and cursing herself for having to call."
"Adelaide Maud was awfully stiff," sighed Elma.
"Our furniture can bear inspection," said Mabel with dignity. "The Dudgeons may have money, but papa has taste."
"Yes, thank goodness," said Cuthbert. "They can't insult us on that point. This beastly side of mine! Why can't we go downstairs, Mabel, and tell them what we think of 'em?"
"I'm longing to, but terrified," said Mabel. "It's because we've admired them so and talked about them so much."
"Adelaide Maud wouldn't know you from the furniture," said Jean. "You may spare yourself the agony of wanting to see her. I think they might be nice when we've been neighbours in a kind of way for so long."