Ermyntrude gave a chuckle. "Yes, we all know about this precious Aunt Clara of yours, dearie. All I can say is, I hope you may get her money, not that there's any question of paying back between us, because there isn't; and if you're trying to cast it up at me that I grudge you anything, you know I don't grudge a penny, except for what you squander on things which we won't mention."
This sinister reference, accompanied as it was by a rising note in his wife's voice, quelled Wally. He hastily passed his cup to her for more coffee, and greeted, with frank relief, the sudden and tempestuous entrance of his stepdaughter.
This damsel came into the room on a wave of dogs. Two cocker spaniels, Ermyntrude's Pekinese, and an overgrown Borzoi cavorted about her, and since one of the cockers had apparently been in the river, a strong aroma of dog at once pervaded the room.
"The Sports Girl!" remarked Mary, casting an experienced eye over Vicky's costume.
This consisted of a pair of slacks, an Aertex shirt, and sandals which displayed two rows of reddened toe-nails.
"Oh, darling, not the spaniels! Oh, if Prince hasn't been in the water again!" exclaimed Ermyntrude distressfully.
"Poor sweets!" Vicky crooned, ejecting them from the room. "Lovely, lovely pets, not now! Lie down, Roy! Good Roy, lie down!"
"What's this idea of bringing a pack of dogs in to breakfast?" demanded Wally, repulsing the advances of the Borzoi. "Lie down, will you? You might as well try to eat in a damned menagerie!" He added, after a glance at Vicky's costume: "What's more, it puts me off my food to see you in that get-up. I don't know why your mother allows it."
"Oh, let her alone, Wally!" said Ermyntrude. "I'm sure she looks as pretty as paint, whatever she wears. Not but what I don't care for trousers myself. Time and again when I've seen some fat creature waddling about in them, I've thought to myself, well, my girl, if you could see your own bottom you'd soon change into a skirt."
"Darling! I practically haven't got a bottom!" protested Vicky, sliding into her place opposite to Mary.