"Now you're talking nonsense!" Joseph rallied her playfully.
"Well, all I can say is that it seems to me he pays a darned sight more attention to Mathilda Clare than he does to me," said Valerie. "In fact, I wonder you don't set her on to him!"
"Tilda?" exclaimed Joseph. "No, no, my dear, you're quite wrong there! Good gracious me, as though Stephen would ever look twice at Tilda!"
"Oh, do you honestly think so?" she said hopefully. "Of course, she isn't in the least pretty. I mean, I like her awfully, and all that sort of thing, but I shouldn't call her attractive, would you?"
"Not a bit!" said Joseph. "Tilda's just a good sort. And now we must go and wash our hands, or we shall both be late for tea, and I shall be making Stephen jealous! I'll just lean the steps up against the wall, and finish the decorations after tea. There! I don't think they'll be in anyone's way, do you?"
Since the half-landing was a broad one, the steps were not, strictly speaking, in anyone's way, but Nathaniel, when he came out of the library, a few minutes later, took instant exception to them, and said that he wished to God Joe would come to the end of all this tomfoolery.
Stephen, descending the stairs, identified himself with this wish in no uncertain tones.
"Now then, you two wet-blankets!" said Joseph. "Tea! Ah, there you are, Maud, my dear! We wait for you to lead the way. Come along, Nat, old man! Come along, Stephen!"
"Makes you feel quite at home, doesn't he?" Stephen said, grinning at Nathaniel.
Joseph's heartiness so nauseated Nathaniel that this malicious remark made him feel quite friendly towards his nephew. He gave a snort of laughter, and followed Maud into the drawing-room.