"I shall take charge of you now," he said grimly; "you will both come with me to my hotel."
A moment's reflection convinced me that nothing would be gained by my taking the next train for Chelmsford. The garden party would be over before I could get to Greentree.
"I must send a telegram at once to Aunt Patty," I said. "She does not know what has become of us and will be very uneasy."
"Oh, I am glad you have some consideration for her," he said bitterly. "Really the lawlessness of young people nowadays is appalling! Running off by yourselves to London in this way! I never heard of such disgraceful conduct on the part of well-brought-up girls."
"You should not speak so to Nan, father," Agneta said. "It is not her fault that we are here. She only came because I did."
"I beg her pardon if I am unjust," he said, "but the whole affair is incomprehensible to me. I will go and telegraph to Mrs. Lucas, and then I will take you away."
"Oh, if only you would take me home to mother!" I said involuntarily.
"What! To Clapham? You would like to go there?"
"Why, of course!" I said almost impatiently.
He looked at me in some surprise.