Pen had climbed on to the wall, and now prepared to jump down into the road. “You must think of something,” she said sternly, and vanished from Miss Daubenay’s sight.
When Pen reached the George Sir Richard had not only finished his breakfast, but was on the point of sallying forth in search of his errant charge. She came into the parlour, flushed and rather breathless, and said impetuously: “Oh, Richard, such an adventure! I have such a deal to tell you! All our plans must be changed!”
“This is very sudden!” said Sir Richard. “May I ask where you have been?”
“Yes, of course,” said Pen, seating herself at the table, and spreading butter lavishly on a slice of bread. “I have been with that stupid girl. You would not believe that anyone could be so silly, sir!”
“I expect I should. What has she been doing, and why did you go to see her?”
“Well, it’s a long story, and most confused!”
“In that case,” said Sir Richard, “perhaps I shall unravel it more easily if you do not tell it to me with your mouth full.”
Her eyes lit with laughter. She swallowed the bread-and-butter, and said: “Oh, I’m sorry! I am so hungry, you see.”
“Have an apple,” he suggested.
She twinkled responsively, “No, thank you, I will have some of that ham. Dear sir, what in the world do you suppose that wretched girl did?”