Grimshaw went to the window and closed it. Lady Selina submitted.
Stimson appeared, much perturbed.
“What is it, Stimson?”
“I’ve been on the green, my lady, and—and——” he broke off gaspingly.
“Bless the man! What’s the matter with him?”
“Nothing, my lady. They left me alone, my lady. It’s Mr. Gridley. He—he wanted to break up the crowd. He said . . .”
“Well, what did he say?”
The unhappy Stimson, dirty and dishevelled, grasping the rags of his former dignity, replied austerely:
“I beg your ladyship’s pardon; I must be excused from repeating what Mr. Gridley said. Very rough tongue he has.”
Beside herself with impatience, Lady Selina rapped out: