“I want to do my duty by those two children, Mr. Grimes. It is a charge that has been laid upon me.”
Mr. Grimes reflected, rubbing his thumb thoughtfully along the front of his teeth.
“They are getting no religious instruction whatever,” said Lady Charlotte. “None.”
“Hot was the ’ligion father?” said Mr. Grimes suddenly.
Lady Charlotte was not to be deterred by a silly and inopportune question. She just paused for an instant and reddened. “He was a member of the Church of England,” she said.
“Even if he wasn’t,” said Mr. Grimes understandingly, but with thumb still in place, “Ligion necessary t’welfare. Case of Besant Chil’n zample. Thlis is Klistian country.”
“I sometimes doubt it,” said Lady Charlotte.
“Legally,” said Mr. Grimes.
“If the law did its duty!”
“You don’t wanner goatallaw fewcan ’void it?” asked Mr. Grimes, grasping his job.