No indeed, she assured Briggs, Kate Lumley was not in that room. Very fortunately, for she was an excessively wide person and the room was excessively narrow. Kate Lumley might get into it, but that was about all. Once in, she would fit it so tightly that probably she would never be able to get out again. It was entirely at Mr. Briggs’s disposal, and she hoped he would do nothing so absurd as go to an hotel—he, the owner of the whole place.
Rose listened to this speech wide-eyed with amazement. Mrs. Fisher laughed very much as she made it. Lotty laughed very much too, and at the end of it bent down and kissed her again—kissed her several times.
“So you see, my dear boy,” said Mrs. Fisher, “you must stay here and give us all a great deal of pleasure.”
“A great deal indeed,” corroborated Mr. Wilkins heartily.
“A very great deal,” repeated Mrs. Fisher, looking exactly like a pleased mother.
“Do,” said Rose, on Briggs’s turning inquiringly to her.
“How kind of you all,” he said, his face broad with smiles. “I’d love to be a guest here. What a new sensation. And with three such—”
He broke off and looked round. “I say,” he asked, “oughtn’t I to have a fourth hostess? Francesca said she had four mistresses.”
“Yes. There’s Lady Caroline,” said Lotty.
“Then hadn’t we better find out first if she invites me too?”