But this time Helen did not appear even irritated; she had become more than ever inexplicable to her aunt.
"Poor dear!" she repeated absently. "If one talks about one's self one must expect to be talked about."
The vicar turned to Phil's experiences in the Southwest. Was it really wild? And how did one live? As Phil pictured his life in swift, broad strokes, Helen was listening intently and some of the fire returned to her eyes.
"There is one thing I have not told," he said gravely, as they went out on the lawn. "I think that it ought to be told even in the presence of the ancestor, though he may disown me."
"More American humour," thought Mrs. Sanford, convinced that she now knew the signals and prepared to laugh even if she did not understand the joke.
"My first task was cleaning out cattle cars!"
But Mrs. Sanford did not laugh. She was aghast. Even the vicar was visibly shocked. Helen spoke first.
"I hope you did it well," she said.
"No fear!" he rejoined.
"We wondered why you did not go to work for Peter," said the vicar.