She played games with him; and at last risked public opinion very bravely by taking the boy out with her for a walk, when one of the first persons she met was Lady Danby.
“I say, what did she mean!” said Dexter, as they walked away.
“That lady—Lady Danby!”
“Yes. Why did she look sorry for me, and call me a protégé?”
“Oh,” said Helen, smiling; “it is only a French word for any one who is adopted or protected, as papa is protecting you.”
“But is it a funny word!”
“Funny? Oh dear no!”
“Then why did she laugh, curious like?”
Helen could not answer that question.
“She looked at me,” said Dexter, “as if she didn’t like me. I’ve seen ladies look like that when they’ve come to see the schools, and us boy’s used to feel as if we’d like to throw slates at them.”