“The Archdeacon may say what he likes. I’m not responsible. Good heavens, Canon, how can you suppose for an instant that anybody could, be responsible for Lalage?”
“I didn’t suppose it. I was only quoting the Archdeacon.”
“I wish to goodness the Archdeacon would mind his own business!”
“That’s what he’s doing,” said the Canon. “If he wasn’t he’d be here now. He wanted to come. If the poor old bishop had held out another week he would have come.”
The Canon left me after that.
CHAPTER XVI
I fully expected a visit from Miss Pettigrew in the course of the next day. I was not disappointed. She arrived at three o’clock, bringing the Canon with her. I was greatly impressed by her appearance. She has bright eyes which twinkled, and she holds her head very straight, pushed well back on her shoulders so that a good deal of her neck is visible below her chin. I felt at once that she was the sort of woman who could do what she liked at me. I attempted my only possible line of defence.
“Aren’t you afraid of influenza?” I said. “Is it wise——?”
“I’m not in the least afraid,” said Miss Pettigrew.