“No”—Vanderbank became jocose again—“that’s a London necessity. You can’t leave anybody with nobody—exposed to everybody.”
Mild as it was, however, Nanda missed the pleasantry. “Mr. Grendon’s not here.”
“Where is he then?”
“Yachting—but she doesn’t know.”
“Then she and you are just doing this together?”
“Well,” said Nanda, “she’s dreadfully frightened.”
“Oh she mustn’t allow herself,” he returned, “to be too much carried away by it. But we’re to have your mother?”
“Yes, and papa. It’s really for Mitchy and Aggie,” the girl went on—“before they go abroad.”
“Ah then I see what you’ve come up for! Tishy and I aren’t in it. It’s all for Mitchy.”
“If you mean there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him you’re quite right. He has always been of a kindness to me—!”