“I cannot think,” said Mrs. Herriton, “what his motive is in sending them.”
Two years before, Philip would have said that the motive was to give pleasure. Now he, like his mother, tried to think of something sinister and subtle.
“Do you suppose that he guesses the situation—how anxious we are to hush the scandal up?”
“That is quite possible. He knows that Irma will worry us about the baby. Perhaps he hopes that we shall adopt it to quiet her.”
“Hopeful indeed.”
“At the same time he has the chance of corrupting the child’s morals.” She unlocked a drawer, took out the post-card, and regarded it gravely. “He entreats her to send the baby one,” was her next remark.
“She might do it too!”
“I told her not to; but we must watch her carefully, without, of course, appearing to be suspicious.”
Philip was getting to enjoy his mother’s diplomacy. He did not think of his own morals and behaviour any more.
“Who’s to watch her at school, though? She may bubble out any moment.”