"Put on the H, please, if you are going to speak like Martha. Only it sounds better without any prefix."
For some reason or other both the young men found themselves blushing and their hearts beating.
"Much nicer," assented Ted with fervour; but Ned made an elision.
"I was going to tell you that in addition to Edward Cruttenden I have--for my sins--to answer to another name--Lord Blackborough."
She stared and frowned.
"You mean," she said slowly, "that as they put it in the books you are Edward Cruttenden, Lord Blackborough?"
"Edward Cruttenden Gibbs, to be strictly according to Debrett," he answered meekly. "I had to take the name when I came into the title three years ago."
A distinct look of disappointment showed on her face. "It is a very great pity," she said still more slowly; then she added more cheerfully. "However, I suppose it can't be helped. Only when I thought of you it was always as Ned and Ted." She glanced at the latter and smiled.
"So far as I am concerned there is no reason why you shouldn't continue----" he began.
"No reason at all," interrupted Ned with the first note of rivalry in his voice. "Let us remain Ned and Ted for--for this week at any rate."