‘We’ve invented a Secret Society,’ Caroline said difficultly and in haste: ‘the Secret Society of the Rose. You wear one full blown rose and two buds, you see.’
‘I see. And what is the secret?’ asked the innocent and kindly uncle.
Everyone became scarlet except the Uncle, who looked more like oyster shells than ever, and said:
‘I beg your pardon.’
‘We’d tell you in a minute if we could. But you see it is a Secret Society.’
‘I see. I am very sorry I was so indiscreet. But tell me this,’ he added hastily. ‘You haven’t broken anything, have you?’
‘Not a thing.’
‘I thought you wouldn’t,’ the Uncle assured them. ‘Mrs. Wilmington was of opinion that you would break almost everything in the house. But that was before she saw you, of course. If you do break anything you’ll tell me, won’t you?’
‘Of course,’ they answered in various tones of surprise.