"Now for the homes," she said, after the long tour of the buildings was completed. "How can we gain entrance without seeming to intrude? Had we better all try to go? It will seem like a regular incursion, won't it?"
Mr. Dalton smiled.
"If you could let me out, I'd be grateful. I've a big day's work laid out on the time-books and accounts, for to-morrow's pay-day. But of course, if you need me——"
"No, no. It has been very good of you to give us so much time. If I were only an agent, now, and had something to sell——"
"'Twouldn't be a bad scheme, Miss Lavillotte, in case you really want to see them as they are. If you had some new-fangled baking dish, or a story paper, or——"
Joyce looked up with a flashing glance, and turned to Ellen, who received the notice with a sniff and a restrained smile.
"You have one, Ellen. We bought it on the train, It's full of pictures and short stories."
"Yes 'm, I've got it. You left it on the seat and I picked it up."
"And now your frugality is to be rewarded. But wouldn't it be prying, Mr. Dalton?"
"Possibly. But wouldn't it be, anyway? I gather you have some good reason for wishing to see these people at home."