Nona (but it was her habit!) appeared less sure. She hung back a moment, and then said: "I haven't told you yet. On the way down to dinner..."
"What, dear?"
"I met him on the upper landing. He asked to see the baby ... that was natural..."
Pauline drew her lips in nervously. She had thought she had all the wires in her hands; and here was one—She agreed with an effort: "Perfectly natural."
"The baby was asleep, looking red and jolly. He stood over the crib a long time. Luckily it wasn't the old nursery."
"Really, Nona! He could hardly expect—"
"No; of course not. Then, just as we were going downstairs, he said: 'Funny, how like Jim the child is growing. Reminds me of that old portrait.' And he jerked out at me: 'Could I see it?'"
"What—the Sargent?"
Nona nodded. "Could I refuse him?"
"I suppose that was natural too."