"Lady kiss duck! Lady kiss Ducky goo' ni'."
"Spencer, please tell Letty we are at dinner."
But Letty's shout gained energy.
"That's one of her rites," said Charles. "Miss Partridge might as well be initiated at once. Come along!"
Catherine laughed at Marian's distressed face.
"Muvver, isn't Letty awful! A strange lady——"
Charles and Miss Partridge were back, and Marian sank into embarrassed silence.
"Isn't she an amusing baby, Mrs. Hammond!" Miss Partridge unfolded her napkin with a lazy gesture; her smile disclosed her teeth, without touching her large dark eyes.
"She's the most stubborn one of the family," said Charles.