"That's all right, old boy. I was feeling too tired to deal with any problems this morning. The morning is the only opportunity I get for a little peace. It never occurred to me whose luggage it was. It might have been a mistake; in fact I thought it was a mistake. But in any case it's very lucky I did send it back, because they'll want it to-night."
"I'm afraid I can't keep them with me any longer."
Though irony might be lost on George's cold blood, the plain fact might wake him up to the actuality of the situation and so it did.
"Oh, but look here, old boy," he expostulated, "Eleanor won't be home for another five weeks. She'll be at Cardiff next week."
"And Bertram and Viola will be at Earl's Court," said John, firmly.
"But the doctor strongly recommended me to rest. I've been very seedy while you were in America. Stomachic, old boy. Yes, that's the trouble. And then my nerves are not as strong as yours. I've had a lot of worry lately."
"I'm sorry," John insisted. "But I've been called away on urgent business, and I can't leave the children at Church Row. I'm sorry, George, but as soon as they are found, I must hand them over to you."
"I shall send them down to the country," George threatened.
"When they are once more safely in your keeping, you can do what you like with them."
"To your place, I mean."