The children looked at each other amazed.
Mrs. Wilmington? It was unbelievable.
‘The doctor is coming at once,’ said the Uncle. ‘I hope it isn’t measles.’
‘Then, if we hadn’t spelled you, should you have given him up to the Police?’ Caroline asked.
‘Your telling me, or the spell, or something has stopped that. Now run away and play in the park. If the illness is not infectious you shall see your little friend later.’
‘Oh, uncle,’ said Charlotte in heartfelt tones, ‘it’s a long lane that never rejoices. We have been so sick about it. And now it’s all right. And you are a dear.’
‘The dearest dear,’ corrected Caroline.
‘I call him a brick,’ said Charles, with the air of a man of the world.
‘There’s only one thing more,’ said the Uncle; ‘go and get me that red rose, and then I shall know that you’ll let me into the next really important secret you have.’
They ran to get it, and the Uncle took it and the petition bouquet away with him to his study.