“The others are coming,” said Mr. Goddard breathlessly.
“Oh, indeed! What others?”
“I met them in the deer park. They are coming up here. They had Jimmy O’Loughlin’s boy with them to show them the way.”
“What others?”
“I turned at once and ran back,” said Mr. Goddard. “I don’t think they saw me; in fact, I’m sure they didn’t. But what are we to do now?”
“I’d stand a better chance of answering that question,” said Lord Manton, “if I knew who you were talking about.”
“The other women, Mrs. Dick and——”
“Oh, the wives of the lost Members of Parliament.”
“Yes. What shall we do?”
“Don’t say, what shall we do,” said Lord Manton. “I’m not going to do anything except sit here and watch the progress of events. I think that’s as much as can be expected of me. Many men wouldn’t do even that. I know lots of people who’d object to your way of filling up their houses with strange women; but I’m giving you every latitude. If you choose to interview your lady friends in my drawing-room, I make no objection. But I won’t be dragged into any complications myself. That’s the reason I don’t like your saying ‘we.’ The question is not what shall we do, but what will you do.”