“I shouldn’t,” said Rose with caution, looking down into Lotty’s bright eyes—the path was steep, so that Lotty was well below her—“I shouldn’t be sure of that too quickly.”
“But I am sure of it, and I’ve written and told him so.”
Rose stared. “Why, but only this morning—” she began.
“It’s all in this,” interrupted Lotty, tapping the envelope and looking pleased.
“What—everything?”
“You mean about the advertisement and my savings being spent? Oh no—not yet. But I’ll tell him all that when he comes.”
“When he comes?” repeated Rose.
“I’ve invited him to come and stay with us.”
Rose could only go on staring.
“It’s the least I could do. Besides—look at this.” Lotty waved her hand. “Disgusting not to share it. I was a mean dog to go off and leave him, but no dog I’ve ever heard of was ever as mean as I’d be if I didn’t try and persuade Mellersh to come out and enjoy this too. It’s barest decency that he should have some of the fun out of my nest-egg. After all, he has housed me and fed me for years. One shouldn’t be churlish.”