But Aubrey had expected this.
"Sorry," he said. "I don't possess one, just now. I gave away mine last week. You can tune your 'cello by the organ."
"I don't know how to tune a 'cello," said Ronnie.
"Let me show you," suggested Aubrey, with the utmost friendliness.
He walked over to the organ, drew out the 'cello stop, sounded a note, then came back humming it.
Then he took up the Infant and carefully tuned the four strings, talking easily meanwhile.
"You see? You screw up the pegs—so. The notes are A, D, G, C."
"What have you done to your lip?" said Ronald, suddenly.
"Knocked it on the stove just now, as I bent to stoke it with my fingers, for fear of waking you. It bled amazingly."
Aubrey produced a much-stained handkerchief.