“Nothing,” said Oswald. “Fire ahead.”
“Can you hear me distinctly? I find you almost inaudible.”
Remonstrances with the exchange led after a time to slightly improved communications.
“You were saying something about a fire?” said Mr. Sycamore.
“I said nothing about a fire. You were saying something about the children?”
“Well, well. Things are in a very confused state, Mr. Sydenham. I hope you mean to take hold of their education. These children are not being educated, they are being fought over.”
“Who’s thinking over them?”
“No one. But the Misses Stubland and Lady Charlotte are fighting over them.... F.I.G.H.T.I.N.G. I want you to think over them.... You—yes.... Think, yes. Both clever children. Great waste if they are not properly educated.... Matters are really urgent. I have been with Lady Charlotte today. You know she kidnapped them?”
“Kidnapped?”
A bright girlish voice, an essentially happy voice, cut into the conversation at this point. “Three minutes up,” it said.