Saxby interposed with a soft laugh.
"You surely cannot suppose Roddy was in any danger from his mother,
Miss Chaine—or that I would harm him?"
He certainly did not look very harmful with his full, handsome features and melancholy smile.
"Your action is both ridiculous and impertinent," continued Mrs. van Cannan furiously. "And I can tell you that I will not stand that sort of thing from any one in my house," she added, with the air of one dismissing a servant: "You may go. Roddy, come here!"
Roddy gave a wild cry.
"Don't leave me, Miss Chaine. They've got a snake in that box, and they want me to let it out."
There was blank silence for a moment; then Christine spoke with deliberation.
"If this is true, it is the most infamous thing I have ever heard."
Even Isabel van Cannan was silenced, and Saxby's deprecating smile passed. He said gravely:
"Mrs. van Cannan has a right to use what methods she thinks best to cure her boy of cowardice."