"Aunt Agatha's pageant!" said Beth. "You must help if you can, though I don't see what good you can do except being a patron, and you're that already."
"Now, I might be useful," said Mary—"really useful. I'm an actress, Mr. Linker."
"Indeed, your ladyship?" said Linker.
He did not seem impressed by this announcement. He perhaps thought that Mrs. Eames was capable of managing the acting part of it by herself.
"I've always longed to produce a play," said Mary, "and a pageant would be nearly as good."
"I'm sorry your mind is so definitely made up," said Sir Evelyn to Jimmy. "Mr. Linker seems to think—— The prospects of the Party in Morriton St. James—my own position as prospective candidate——"
"If it's going to help you, Uncle Evie—but I'm blest if I see how it can."
"Mr. Linker," said Sir Evelyn, "attaches great importance to the success of the pageant. I think perhaps that you ought——"
"I need scarcely say, my lord," said Linker, "that in the management of the pageant we should be prepared to meet your lordship's wishes in every way."
"In every way?"