‘Well, why not take her with you, when you go away?’

‘I didn’t know that I was going away, father. Nothing has been said of it.’

‘It’s your own business. I leave you to make what plans you like.’

Nancy reflected.

You ought to have a change,’ she said considerately. ‘It would do you good. Suppose we all go to Teignmouth? I should think that would suit you.’

‘Why Teignmouth?’

‘I enjoyed it last year. And the lodgings were comfortable. We could have the same, from the first week in August.’

‘How do you know?’

‘I wrote the other day, and asked,’ Nancy replied with a smile.

But Mr. Lord declined to leave home. Mary Woodruff did her best to persuade him, until he angrily imposed silence. In a day or two he said to Nancy: