Charles picked up Thessalonians, and the cover ‘came off in his hand,’ as the handles of cups do in the hands of washing-up maids.
What was inside the cover fell on the floor with a thump, and Caroline picked that up.
‘Shadoxhurst on Thessalonians,’ Charles read from the cover.
‘This isn’t,’ said Caroline, looking at what had been inside. ‘It’s—I say! Suppose it was the book—’
She looked up at the picture.
It was certainly like the painted book.
‘Only it hasn’t any brass clasps,’ said Caroline; ‘but look—it used to have clasps. You can see the marks where they used to go.’
You could.
‘Glory!’ cried Charlotte. ‘Fancy finding it the very first day! Let’s take it to Uncle Charles.’