“There was a moon.”
“There’s the dressing gong,” said Violet, rising, and putting Selina down on the hearthrug, as the roar of the gong came from below.
“And I’ve finished the decorations,” said Mr Fanshawe, coming down the ladder.
“Mr Fanshawe,” said Doris, “you’ve used nearly the whole box of nails, nailing up that piece of mistletoe.”
“We can’t play the nursery game any longer,” said Mr Fanshawe, as they came down the passage together, “or people will suspect; not that I expected to meet you there just now. I just went to help the kids with the holly; Bob came and asked me. But I don’t know how we’re to see each other again to-night, unless in the drawing-room, and that’s worse than nothing. I’ve got to bottle this beastly burglar at ten—at least fix up the contraption to catch him in. He’s coming at twelve.”
“Oh, Dicky, I’d forgot——”
“What?”
“That burglar—how wicked of me! I’ve been so happy and so frightened that I’ve been able to think of nothing. Will it be dangerous?”
“Not a bit. I’ve got the stable-man and Patsy to help.”
“I shan’t sleep till it’s all over.”