"I," said Mathilda firmly, "am going upstairs to change."
Chapter Five
While Joseph bore the step-ladder away to safety in the billiard-room, Mathilda went back into the library to pick up her handbag. She had reached the top of the stairs before he overtook her, but he did overtake her, and, tucking a hand in her arm, said that he did not know what they would any of them do without her.
"No soft soap, thanks, Joe," replied Mathilda. "I'm not going to be the sacrifice."
"Sacrifice indeed! What an idea!" He lowered his voice, for they had reached the door of Nathaniel's room. "My dear, help me to save my poor party!"
"No one can save your party. You might do a bit towards it by removing all paper festoons and mistletoe from his outraged sight."
"Sh!" Joseph said, with an absurdly nervous glance towards Nathaniel's shut door. "You know Nat! That was only just his way. He doesn't really mind my decorations. I'm afraid the trouble is more difficult to deal with than that. To tell you the truth, Tilda, I wish Paula hadn't brought that young man here."
"We all wish that," said Mathilda, coming to a halt outside her own bedroom. "But don't you worry, Joe! He may have added to Nat's annoyance, but he isn't the cause of it."
He sighed. "I did so hope that Nat would have taken to Valerie!"
"You're an incurable optimist."