The menu decided upon, Mr. Evringham still lingered.
“Mrs. Forbes, I have never had any experience with little girls. You have, no doubt,” he said. “Am I right in thinking that my granddaughter is—is a rather unusual specimen?”
“She's older than Dick's hatband, sir,” rejoined the housekeeper promptly.
“Are they, perhaps, teaching differently in the schools from what they used to?”
“Not that I know of, Mr. Evringham.”
“She uses very unusual expressions. I can't make it out. You are an intelligent woman, Mrs. Forbes. Did you ever happen to hear of such a thing as the—a—a—Scientific Statement of Being!”
“Never in my life, sir,” returned the housekeeper virtuously.
“Extraordinary language that, from a—a child of her years. She seems to have been peculiarly brought up. You heard her reference to—in fact to—the Creator.”
“I did, sir. At the breakfast table, too! I was as shocked as you were, sir. Her mother put a Bible into her trunk, but it's plain she never taught her any reverence. The Almighty give her a jumping horse indeed! If you'll excuse me, Mr. Evringham, I think you should have said something right there.”
The broker pulled his mustache. “I've listened to more unreasonable views of heaven,” he returned.