"Probably not; but Jane must, and she ought to have put a stop to it ages ago. I expect, though, Theodore wheedled around her to let him have his own way."
Jack looked thoroughly uncomfortable, for he knew Theodore was often in Tom Blake's company, and he also knew that Jane was much distressed at the fact, though she had not sufficient control over the wayward boy to prevent it.
"Do you know anything about this matter, Jack?" Mrs. Barton enquired, noticing her little son's uneasy countenance.
"Not much, mother," he replied, rather evasively. "Of course I know Theo goes out with Tom Blake sometimes—often," correcting himself truthfully.
"And does Jane allow it?"
"No—that is, she does not like it. She wanted Theo to promise not to have anything more to do with Tom, but he would not promise."
"Just as I thought!" Miss Selina exclaimed. "Jane gives way to him in everything. Now," turning to Mrs. Barton, who looked much disturbed, "you see how necessary it is that some one holding more authority than a servant should interfere."
"I do indeed see it."
Mrs. Barton sighed as she turned the matter over in her mind, and came to the conclusion that it was her place to speak to Theodore about his questionable friend.
Presently Miss Selina and Miss Penelope took their departure, and then little Jack turned a distressed face to his mother.