It gave Mary an odd shock to hear her brother's name spoken like that, by that speaker and in that company. She asked suddenly, apropos of nothing, "Isn't Mr. Parker here?"
"No, my dear," said Mr. Murbles reprovingly, "this is not a police matter."
"The best thing we can do, I think," said Sir Impey, "is to put in the evidence, and, if necessary, arrange for some kind of protection for this lady. In the meantime—"
"She is coming round with me to mother," said Lady Mary determinedly.
"My dear lady," expostulated Mr. Murbles, "that would be very unsuitable in the circumstances. I think you hardly grasp—"
"Mother said so," retorted her ladyship. "Bunter, call a taxi."
Mr. Murbles waved his hands helplessly, but Sir Impey was rather amused. "It's no good, Murbles," he said. "Time and trouble will tame an advanced young woman, but an advanced old woman is uncontrollable by any earthly force."
So it was from the Dowager's town house that Lady Mary rang up Mr. Charles Parker to tell him the news.