When the repast was nearly over, Mr. Lord glanced at his son and said unconcernedly:
‘You have heard that Nancy wants to mix with the rag-tag and bobtail to-morrow night?’
‘I shall take care of her,’ Horace replied, starting from his reverie.
‘Doesn’t it seem to you rather a come-down for an educated young lady?’
‘Oh, there’ll be lots of them about.’
‘Will there? Then I can’t see much difference between them and the servant girls.’
Nancy put in a word.
‘That shows you don’t in the least understand me, father.’
‘We won’t argue about it. But bear in mind, Horace, that you bring your sister back not later than half-past eleven. You are to be here by half-past eleven.’
‘That’s rather early,’ replied the young man, though in a submissive tone.