“I’m kept so in the dark about things.”
“It’s quite all right now, mummy.”
“He went on—dreadfully.”
“It was annoying—of Georgina.”
“It makes my position so difficult. I do wish he wouldn’t want to speak to me—about all these things.... Georgina treats me like a Perfect Nonentity and then he comes——It’s so inconsiderate. Starting Disputes. Do you know, dear, I really think—if I were to go for a little time to Bournemouth——?”
Her daughter seemed to find something attractive in the idea. She came to the hearthrug and regarded her mother with maternal eyes.
“Don’t you worry about things, mummy,” she said.
“Mrs. Bleckhorn told me of such a nice quiet boarding-house, almost looking on the sea.... One would be safe from Insult there. You know——” her voice broke for a moment, “he was Insulting, he meant to be Insulting. I’m—Upset. I’ve been thinking over it ever since.”
§10
Lady Harman came out upon the landing. She felt absolutely without backing in the world. (If only she hadn’t told a lie!) Then with an effort she directed her course downstairs to the dining-room.