"Don't tell anybody I'm here," Hughie requested, finishing the chocolate and smoothing out the bag. Paper bags came in usefully at times.
"Not Mother, do you mean? She may ask."
"I don't mind her, but not the others, Pam. It's impossible to sew properly when people come bothering about and asking questions."
Pamela promised, and departed light-footed.
In the corridor she met her mother, who promptly asked where was her youngest son.
"He's all right, Mummy--sewing, in the cave," said Pamela, "and he doesn't want anyone to know."
"All right. I shan't tell," said Mrs. Romilly, smiling. Then she asked about the yawl, and the plans of the older pair about fetching her from Salterne.
Pamela related what she knew, so far as it went. In a day or two the tide would serve better, as there would be a later ebb in the afternoon.
"The fact is, Miss Chance would rather like to make a shopping expedition to Salterne the same day--and couldn't she come back in the boat?" asked Mrs. Romilly, innocent of all this involved--as mothers so often are.
The silence that ensued was so full of meaning, that Mrs. Romilly answered it as though her daughter had spoken.