“Thank you,” said Claudia, pleasantly. “I always manage for myself.” Her morning’s round had put her into the best of humours, and she was fresh and smiling, but before breakfast was half over, longing to escape to the work which no one appeared disposed to regard gravely. Captain Fenwick, who was last of all, and dropped into the empty chair by her side, made no attempt to conceal his amusement.
“You have been round the place already! Wonderful energy! And when are you really going to begin? Mayn’t we all come and help?”
“Do you think you could?”
“I am sure I should be a very valuable adviser.”
“About as much so as I should be if I attempted to drill your men. I suppose that is the sort of thing you do?” said the girl, so quietly that he looked at her.
“I am afraid that is a neat way of hinting that I should mind my own business.”
Her eyes began to dance.
“Perhaps.”
“You cover me with confusion. But, indeed, you are mistaken. I am quite willing to learn.”
“Only I did not come here to give lessons. So don’t you think we had both better keep to what we know?”