‘And you didn’t go home and change after your football?’ asked Alice. ‘You are too bad! You promised me you would!’
He held up apologetic hands, and spoke in baby voice.
‘I vewy sowwy,’ he said. ‘I be dood to-morrow!’
‘I’m not sure I shall forgive you,’ said Alice radiantly.
‘Please! If I have another cup of tea to keep the cold out?’
‘Well, just this once,’ said Alice, pouring him out another cup.
He fixed his fine eyes on the fire, and became so like the figure of Jonah in the stained-glass window that Alice almost felt herself in Nineveh.
‘I’m getting spoiled here,’ he said, ‘all you dear ladies of Bracebridge positively spoil me with your altar-cloths and our extra cups of tea. I’m getting too comfortable. And here’s Miss Alice with a cigarette at my elbow. But I don’t know whether it’s allowed. Have one with me, Miss Alice, and then your mother will have to scold us both, and I know she’s too fond of you to scold you.’
This was slightly too daring an experiment for Alice, but she resolved to have a try in her bedroom that night.
‘Indeed, it’s allowed,’ said Mrs Keeling, ‘but as for Alice smoking, well, that is a good joke. And as for your being too comfortable I call that another joke.’