Mr. Fairfax Fuller greeted his chief with an air of relief that turned into a look of smouldering resentment as Lady Rossiter shook hands with him, which she always did, as she said, on principle, either disregarding or not observing the Superintendent's strong tendency to entrench himself behind a writing-table and thrust both hands into his pockets.
She did not, however, shake hands with Miss Marchrose, but nodded to her in a very kindly way and said "Good morning" in a pleasant undertone.
Old Alderman Bellew was talking in the window to Mark Easter.
"How are things going, Mr. Fuller?" Edna enquired with grave interest.
"Going right enough," muttered Fuller, looking at his watch.
"Oh, I'm glad. You know I care so much. What are you putting before the committee to-day?"
Fuller turned his back upon her.
"Miss Marchrose, give Lady Rossiter an agenda."
"Yes, yes," Edna cried, barely glancing at it, "but I don't mean just the headings. For instance, 'Proposed Saturday afternoon classes.' Is there really any chance of it? You know the whole question is very, very near my heart, Mr. Fuller."
"It's for discussion to-day," said Mr. Fuller, bending over his writing-table and intently studying the cover of Pitman's Shorthand Dictionary.